This paper discusses the concept of consent using an example of an incident of calculated consent that happened in my life. Consent refers to an approval or agreement to a proposal of another person. Consent is important when communicating and setting of personal boundaries when interacting with other people (Bolinger, 2019). Therefore, a clear verbal expression of consent helps to understand and respect the boundaries set. True consent is communicated either verbally or in written form. On the other hand, manufactured consent involves obtaining consent from either drunk people, the minor, unconscious individuals, intoxicated or threatened people (Bolinger, 2019). The main difference between the two kinds of consent is that true consent understands and respects boundaries communicated, whereas manufactured consent ignores and takes advantage of weakness points such as alcoholism, fear, among others.
This reminds me of one time when a classmate found me copying my friend’s homework. The neighborhood had experienced a power blackout the previous night and I could not be able to complete my homework in the dark, so I opted to sleep early and wake up early in the morning to do the homework. It was very unfortunate that the concerned teacher arrived in class quite early before the allocated time and started off the lesson. I had to borrow my friend’s homework and copy to complete the homework on time, and that is when my classmate saw me and threatened to report me to the teacher. I had really panicked and was really desperate to complete the homework on time so that the teacher will not punish me.
The classmate who found me copying decided to ask for a favor in exchange for his silence. He ordered me to bring him a packet of snacks each morning for the whole week if I did not want him to report. I had no choice than to agree to his terms, hoping that the nightmare would be over at the end of the week. This is one incident in which consent was calculated in my life and I learnt that I should avoid situations that allow other people to take advantage by calculating my consent.
Reference
Bolinger, R. J. (2019). Moral risk and communicating consent. Philosophy & Public Affairs, 47(2), 179-207.