wrc.ua.edu/sexuala.cfm
LEARNING MODULE NINE
Due Sat. 4/9 by noon
What would you do to end sexual violence at the University of Alabama?
Due Sat. 4/9 by noon
What would you do to end sexual violence at the University of Alabama?
Using your articles for this week, write 1-2 paragraphs demonstrating your understanding of the social systems and social conditions that support male sexual violence against women and other men on college campuses. Then in 1-2 paragraphs, build upon the “Feminist Frat Boys” article and reflect upon some possible forms of action/activism that you and your peers (as well as the larger University system) can take to end sexual violence on the UA campus.
Preventing sexual assault: Tips guaranteed to work! September 22, 2009
Please distribute this list. Put it up in your place of work, in your university’s library or wherever you think theymight be read:
1. Don’t put drugs in people’s drinks in order to control their behavior.
2. When you see someone walking by themselves, leave them alone!
3. If you pull over to help someone with car problems, remember not to assault them!
4. NEVER open an unlocked door or window uninvited.
5. If you are in an elevator and someone else gets in, DON’T ASSAULT THEM!
6. Remember, people go to laundry to do their laundry, do not attempt to molest someone who is alone in a laundry room.
7. USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM! If you are not able to stop yourself from assaulting people, ask a friend to stay with you while you are in public.
8. Always be honest with people! Don’t pretend to be a caring friend in order to gain the trust of someone you want to assault. Consider telling them you plan to assault them. If you don’t communicate your intentions, the other person may take that as a sign that you do not plan to rape them.
9. Don’t forget: you can’t have sex with someone unless they are awake!
10. Carry a whistle! If you are worried you might assault someone “on accident” you can hand it to the person you are with, so they can blow it if you do.
Thanks to Feminist Law Professors!
1. Don’t put drugs in people’s drinks in order to control their behavior.
2. When you see someone walking by themselves, leave them alone!
3. If you pull over to help someone with car problems, remember not to assault them!
4. NEVER open an unlocked door or window uninvited.
5. If you are in an elevator and someone else gets in, DON’T ASSAULT THEM!
6. Remember, people go to laundry to do their laundry, do not attempt to molest someone who is alone in a laundry room.
7. USE THE BUDDY SYSTEM! If you are not able to stop yourself from assaulting people, ask a friend to stay with you while you are in public.
8. Always be honest with people! Don’t pretend to be a caring friend in order to gain the trust of someone you want to assault. Consider telling them you plan to assault them. If you don’t communicate your intentions, the other person may take that as a sign that you do not plan to rape them.
9. Don’t forget: you can’t have sex with someone unless they are awake!
10. Carry a whistle! If you are worried you might assault someone “on accident” you can hand it to the person you are with, so they can blow it if you do.
Thanks to Feminist Law Professors!
From the readings from this week it only made my belief that men’s sexual assault is constructed by society. Many men feel the need to be in control of whatever situation is at hand. Not only do men feel the need to be in control of women, they also feel the need to show off their masculinity to other men. If another man tests a man’s masculinity it can cause a huge fight, like it is some type of competition.
ReplyDeleteMen expect women to do whatever they tell them to do, like for example they expect women to stay at home and have dinner on the table when the man gets home from work. This kind of expectations was taught to men when they were growing up. The environment you were brought up in is a direct reflection on your later relationship with your loved one. If a boy was brought up in a household where the mom got abused most likely the boy will later on abuse his wife, just because he sees that is how you are supposed to treat a lady.
One of the first things that need to be done on college campus’ to spread awareness is to make it mandatory for every woman to take a class on sexual violence. That way woman would be aware of how much more prone they are to be raped while they are in college. The follow up class for women to take would be the self-defense class that the University of Alabama offers. It is important that girls realize how important it is to be able to defend themselves if they are ever put into that position. One thing that really makes me feel safe while walking on campus at night is the bodyguard at my sorority house. If we ever have to walk on campus alone in the dark he will walk with us, that way we would never have to get put into a position that could possibly be dangerous. Overall girls and women need to be more aware of the likely possibility of being raped in their lifetime.
Sexual Violence is a concern in many cities in the United States and around the world. There is no one solution to the sexual violence issue. Society as a whole must deal with it through many different forms. The first start is to have women gain power to stand up for them and not give into the patriarchy surrounding our society. This will level out the gender roles and start evening out power.
ReplyDeleteMen are taught from an early age to be powerful, strong, not give into fear, and not let pain get to them. Also, many children grow up in homes that have violence between parents which gives off a terrible lesson to their children. Because of the societal “norms” and events, men grow up to be more aggressive and learn to fight back with greater power. To end sexual violence, society needs to balance out the power among the genders and take into account each person, not just the societal norms for their gender.
The “Frat Boys”, articles was very interesting because it highlights many issues people can relate to this on campus. Because of the large amount of Greeks, fraternities have a high standing on this campus resulting in a lot of power. With the secrecy, brotherhood, alcohol, and failure to comply with the rules, it is definitely grounds for sexual harassment. I think we, as students, should try to work together in keeping this number as low as possible.
Students should never be alone at night and try to tone down their drinking so they will be aware of their surroundings. Also, there should be punishments for people who commit the violence as well as the people who did nothing to stop it. This should be taken much more seriously by officials because it happens so often and many times not reported. Sexual violence is all over college campuses but it is essentially the student’s decision on how to handle it and how to lessen the numbers.
After gaining the knowledge incorporated in the articles from this week, it’s safe to say that men expect power. Growing up, boys are always put in more powerful positions with sports and friends, quickly teaching them who is in control. Not only is their power competition between girls, but also with other boys. Depending on the different social systems, men act in different ways to control women or act better than them.
ReplyDeleteEvery human being is placed, from birth, in to different social conditions than those in the world around them. But whatever condition, structure, or institute we look at, men are always in the leading role. Because of this power figure, they believe that they can manipulate women and treat them however they want. Men feel like they are in control of women and their actions.
In the article, Feminist Frat Boys, we learn that fraternity boys will sometimes do these actions under pledge ship or authority from other boys (brothers). In order to minimize and remove sexual violence on Alabama’s campus, we need to first raise awareness. It’s easy for girls to think they are invisible and rape won’t happen to them. Girls (and boys) need to realize that walking home alone is not safe, no matter how “safe” the campus is. Because rape hasn’t necessarily happened personally to everyone on campus, people aren’t as aware and concerned about it happening to them. Raising awareness is the first, and one of the most important steps to reducing sexual assaults on campus.
Another thing our campus can do is hiring more police officers to walk around the areas where cars don’t go. These are the areas that sexual assaults happen because there is no car traffic, which usually means at nighttime the chances of people seeing it happen are very slim. Along with this, set up more emergency polls around campus. It is just a quick button that you press to inform the police department you are in trouble and the help traces you down. If they polls are set up more on campus, it will be easier for the police to track the victim because more buttons will be pressed.
@Pmdouglas I agree, spreading awareness around campus is the first step we need to take to removing sexual assault on the University of Alabama's campus. I feel like so many women don't think it will happen to them and then they have to learn the hard way. Spreading awareness will help them see that it actually happens to girls on our college campus.
ReplyDeleteFrom the reading this week, it seems to me that the reason for mens violence is a result of the society around them. As guys get older, they are put into situations in which power is a main key. Such situations include sports activities, connecting with a group of friends,finding the right woman and so on. But men always feel as if they need to be in control.Men only act the way they do because of the position that they have been put into through their past.
ReplyDeleteTo end sexual violence at the university, i feel that it would be best just to make everybody aware about it. The reason people are sexually assaulted is because not many people are aware of it. It isn't known.And when people dont make it noted, thats what gives people the feeling that they can get away with it. People can be stopped from committing this action, but we just have to make it known.
The "Frat Boys" article was interesting because it talks about issues that are relatable on campus. The number of frat brother way out numbers the amount of sorority girls, therefore making them feel as if they have more power over women. Alcohol and other things are offered at fat parties, which gives a frat brother plenty of lee-way to possibly sexually assault a girl.
To end this possible action of sexual assault, some action has already been taken. For example; sororities now have body guards who stay at their house to ensure that they are ok. Another example is the areas all around campus, where you can call the police if you feel that you are being assaulted. Really to end all of this kind of action, people just need to know and understand what it is, and what the consequences will be if they preform these kinds of actions.
Social structure has impacted many men's lives in all different ways. The articles this week have given reason and explanation on why men are the way they are. Many men learn things as young boys and the environment that they were raised in. The interaction between mother and father plays a huge role in how their son is raised. Many men expect certain things out of a future wife that is their own preconceived notion.
ReplyDeleteTo help protect our campus from sexual violence against women we need to start by making people aware. We need to educate and inform people so they can stop and try to break the cycle. If we as women can get young men to change their opinion on how women should be treated their sons will hopefully be raised in a different environment, We should start at fraternities and try and break the "brother" bond. If we get upper class men to lead by example the younger pledges will follow in their foot steps. Men need to treat women with equal respect and not "expect" certain things out of women.
The "Frat Boy" article was very true down to each idea. I feel that some of the examples in that article happens very often on this campus. Men in fraternities think they are all that and should be worshipped by all women. Alcohol and the ratio of men to women play a huge factor in stupid decisions. There needs to be more security and police on the nightly watch to make sure innocent women get home safely and not taking advantage of. We need to be the start in breaking the statistics of rape. Pledges shouldn't be put up to terrible pressure to fit in. Actions caused by fraternity men are often influenced. Everyone wants to fit in on campus. Campus needs to come together on this issue and support one another.
As the representative from the Women’s Resource center explained to the class on Wednesday, instances of violent behavior ranging from stalking to domestic abuse to rape often occur on college campuses. There are patriarchal systems inherent in our society that work for the benefit of men, but patriarchy is taken to a whole new level on college campuses in that it becomes a system of sexual dominance. Male sexual violence is particularly prevalent on college campuses for a number of factors, including but not limited to the attitudes present in all-male organizations like fraternities and certain athletic associations that legitimize male social dominance by requiring normative “masculine” behavior from their members. Social interactions can have a strong influence on a person’s behavior, and some men may engage in sexist or even violent behavior in an attempt to gain acceptance from their social group. In some fraternities, for example, men are expected to eschew all things feminine, repress their emotions, maintain a tough exterior, and exhibit homophobic attitudes.
ReplyDeleteThere are some men who are going to treat others with violence no matter what because they are strongly encouraged by social conditions and patriarchal systems to exhibit hegemonic masculinity. They are made to feel that the domination of other men and women is not only socially acceptable, but that it should be encouraged. Sometimes an otherwise normal man participates in sexual violence because of the social conditions that surround him and encourage him to enact his desires on someone regardless of their feelings. Alcohol consumption is also a major factor that cannot be ignored, as well as the fact that many college-age men and women tend to think that they can do whatever they want now that their parents aren’t breathing down their necks every minute of the day.
The “Feminist Frat Boys” article talked about bringing students together with their peers to talk about sexual violence in order to educate them about the causes and possible solutions to the problem of violence on campus. I think that by challenging students to recognize their roles in the systems that support sexual violence and then exploring the abuses of these systems, students could come to a better understanding of the “big picture,” so to speak. A lot of male students get defensive or angry or dismissive when they encounter feminist ideals; they feel that because they are men they are immediately and unfairly assumed to be the enemy or the cause of the problem. However, men need to be confronted with the truth that they are willing beneficiaries of the sexual power structures on campus; only after they accept this and move past defensiveness and anger can we count these male students as allies in the collective struggle for gender justice. Male students need to realize that even if they don’t actively participate in sexual violence, displaying attitudes or exhibiting behaviors that encourage violent acts, even in “jest,” makes them a part of the problem rather than the solution. However, above all else, I think that male students need to understand that even though they feel that they are judged unfairly by the actions of other men, they are part of a system that harms women (and other men) and that by being passive about the issue and not speaking up or calling out other men when they exhibit sexist behavior they are contributing to the problem.
One thing that I believe would help eliminate sexual assault on campus, would be to talk about it more. People see the chalk on the sidewalks and occasionally hear of someone who was raped at band party over the weekend, but it is mostly just brushed off, never to really be thought about again. There need to be more vocal and attention grabbing demonstrations of how serious sexual violence is on campus.
ReplyDeleteFrom the first day of recruitment, potential fraternity men are painted the picture that they are better than every one else on campus. While they are opened to more opportunities such as having an unbreakable bond with brothers, unlimited access to the best bands and the most alcohol, and very high connections in the job market, that does not give them permission to look down upon everyone else. Websites like totalfratmove.com, which is ridiculously funny and about eighty-five percent true, create this image that women are only there to make sandwiches and clean up after their future husbands. It hurts women’s image of themselves and how men view them, making sex seem like it is just for men’s pleasure not matter if the women objects or not.
The class that the Ross Wantland talked about in his article is a perfect example of how to increase awareness. There might have only been ten chapters represented in this class, but it still made a difference. One guy admitted he got out of a possible rape situation due to this class. It is only one situation, but it potentially saved the girl’s and the guy’s lives forever. The only change I would make is to let sorority women into the class. When men are with men and women are with women, every one can agree with one another. The interesting thing would be to let fraternity men and sorority women discuss sexual violence issues together. I believe this would allow both sides to grow and become more knowledgeable on both sides of sexual assault.
Sexual assault is something that IS real, and contrary to belief everyone is at risk of sexual violence. Men are raised in our society, molded by the images they see on commercials and music videos, to see women as something they must have control over.
ReplyDeleteWomen need to stand up against the patriarchy that controls our society. It no longer needs to be a competition between men and women just an equal, safe place where there is no control over power. that would fix race and gender issues all together. Some sexual assault is race based and all forms are usually gender based.
Men and women need to be aware of sexual violence and need to be learned on how to not only handle hearing someone being raped, someone telling you that they've been raped, and if you yourself are in a situation where your facing sexual assault, how to handle it.
I believe there should be a mandatory class that you must take to graduate. As response to getting greeks to come together to talk about this issue i think we could really get alot out of it. women and men in greek would probably handle the situation in a good manner.
@Katie Schauerman
ReplyDeleteI think you made a very good point when you talked about how young men are taught within their homes, the power role men have over women. With so many divorces in our country today, there is bound to be some sexual, physical or verbal violence within the home. If we teach young men and women how to respectably have a disagreement, I believe that we could lower the assault number tremendously.
@Hannah K I agree with all the points you have from the Feminist Frat Boys. It’s an article that should be more publicized on college campuses, especially UA with Greek Life being a big aspect. Rape may not appear like it happens often, but most of the time girls don’t talk about it happening to them or even consider it rape because they may excuses up like they went upstairs or drank too much like we discussed in class. Our campus needs to be more educated on sexual violence and ways to prevent it.
ReplyDelete@Katie Schauerman Your idea of making it mandatory for every woman to take a class on sexual violence is smart and would be efficient. Students need to understand how frequent sexual violence occurs, especially on college campuses, and ways to see it happening to themselves and others. Walking alone on campus has been a big issue recently for UA with the two violent incidents. Sorority bodyguards are really helpful, but that doesn’t insure safety to all students on campus—not even close. More bodyguards or police officers should be present at night for all students to be able to access.
ReplyDeleteSexual violence is a problem that has been around forever. In my opinion the music videos, disrespectful rap songs and movies about women does not help solve the problem. The problem is a combination between the gender roles in society. Males have been taught to be dominant, power and the ones in control. Women feel like they must be submissive to men and to be the more quite pleasure. Alcohol is also a factor that in most cases is involved in sexual violence. To end a large problem like this we would have to have a large social reconstruction. To start a movement on our campus I think a good first step would be to make students more aware of the numbers and how common sexual violence is, especially in our atmosphere. Many students think it is not something that would ever happen to them so they are not prepared if a situation were to happen. I think we could also offer classes on self-defense and maybe classes about respecting the opposite sex for both male and female.
ReplyDeleteThe article about Greek life makes these issues hit home for me because I am also active in our Greek system. I know fraternities on campus have a lot of power and at many of the parties alcohol is involved. Some boys that are in frats believe they can get anything they want, including girls. That is not to say that it is entirely the boys fault, girls can also do their part to contribute to the problem. If students were better educated about the issue and were aware that it is very easy to be a victim, maybe everyone would be more cautious walking around at night after a few drinks.