There are lots of arguments linking the genesis of sexual abuse or assaults to the inherent gender inequality in a society. The standing hypothesis is that the sex that is economically and socially powerful, controls the fate of the other sex, and over-exercises its liberties to violate members of the opposite sex. The opposite sex, physically weaker, and socially helpless, succumbs and bears the injustice without recompense.
The cause is present in India. Women are economically weaker, the society being patriarchal, also favors men. The effect is present in India too. The incidence of sexual assaults is very high, unmeasured, and probably higher than estimated. Does that mean that the hypothesis holds true? A lot of campaigns, statements, speeches in India center around shifting this social and economic power base, making it more equal, and hence solving the very core of the issue. Addressing the cause, and not the symptoms.
I'm not convinced that the hypothesis is true. What are the examples of other cultures where sexual assaults against women declined with increasing economic and social empowerment? Actually, what are the examples of cultures where social power was shifted at all?
I have an example that contradicts the hypothesis. The US does not have the cause. Women are economically empowered, socially independent, and equal on various commonly referred parameters - like property inheritance e.g. It still has the effect. One out of four american college students have been victims of attempted rape, and one out of five have been victims of rape. That's not a modest figure at all.
There is a difference between the US and India. The level of reporting is much higher in the US. Why is that? I would argue its because the police and judicial system are reliable. If that were the case in India, the reporting levels would be much higher. Maybe lower than the US still, the rest of the gap being filled through empowerment. Empowerment gives women confidence to voice their concerns, if not address them.
Empowerment might be the solution to a lot of our nation's problems, but I'm not sure if it'll solve the curious case of crime against women.
I don’t agree with your counterexample of US. A famous American documentary called ‘Miss Representation’ argues how American culture objectifies women primarily as sex symbols, and women in general are NOT looked upon to be capable of being great leaders, great entrepreneurs, etc. They blame the American media to send out this message to young girls at an early age that their looks are what is most important, everything else is less important. This causes a shift in focus in girls and their priority is not to become great leaders, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe documentary claims that even though women comprise of 51% of US population, only 17% women are there in Congress (this is definitely not even distribution of power).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gkIiV6konY
This other good TED talk argues that American movies shows mostly males to be heroes, powerful, etc. There are significantly less movies with a woman as the main powerful character (eg, Brave). This shapes the mind of both young boys and girls that boys are supposed to be powerful and girls are supposed to be mere supporters of boys by being wives, etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueOqYebVhtc
Thanks for sharing the links and stats. I agree with you completely on the issue of the US not being the ideal gender equal state. It makes sense that it has gender perception issues. I only meant to state that it is probably far ahead on the gender empowerment curve than India. Do you think even that is untrue? Also, I'm sure there are some states which score highly on every measure of gender equality, but I doubt there are many. So I think we could find one or two key factors which are unequally represented anywhere in the world - I might be wrong here.
ReplyDeleteMy intended point was that being far ahead on the gender empowerment curve, does not necessarily imply doing better on the crime against women curve. What do you think of that?
Appreciate the discussion!
The judicial system is definitely crucial, but saying that American women are empowered both socially and economically is as broad and overgeneralised a statement as it would be to say that all women in India are weak and disempowered. Inequalities are always relative and subjective. A single issue cannot be commented upon without relating it to the context. As you know, gender discrimination takes on different forms in different cultures and is usually not as explicitly perceivable as in rape.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely, Suchaita. Again, please read my reply above, if you had to pick which of the two- US or Indian women - are more "empowered" ; what would your answer be?
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