Notes on Violence and Masculinity

Key Themes of Violence in Society

• Connection between Masculinity and Violence
• Societal constructs portray masculinity as linked with violence, where men are expected to use violence to assert strength and dominance.
• Femicide laws have been established in 16 Latin American countries to address violence against women and serve as mechanisms to change underlying patriarchal norms.

Learning Objectives

• Understanding Violence through Intersectionality
• Observe how race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality intersect with interpersonal violence incidents.
• Grasp the global context of violence, especially related to street violence and assaults.
• Recognize gender-based violence in conflict zones and historical context of domestic violence.
• Analyze the roles of social movements and institutional frameworks in combating violence.

The Global Epidemic of Violence

• Prevalence of Interpersonal and Sexual Violence
• Approximately 1 in 3 women globally experience violence, showcasing the widespread nature of sexual assault and domestic violence.
• Significant disparities in violence rates among races, with marginalization and economic conditions accentuating the risks.

Gendered Violence in Various Contexts

• Domestic Violence

• Historically normalized, now recognized as a public issue; however, there are challenges with the criminal justice response.

• Women's economic independence has impacted their ability to escape violence, yet systemic barriers remain (e.g., economic troubles, socio-political contexts).

• Trends in Acquaintance Rape

• Acquaintance rape is the most prevalent form of sexual violence against women, particularly on college campuses.

• The influence of alcohol on consent and the prevalence of victim-blaming highlight societal challenges in addressing sexual violence.

Masculinity and Violence in the Criminal Justice System

• The Role of Men as Victims and Perpetrators
• Masculinity is constructed through societal expectations that promote violence as a normative behavior for men.
• Men of Color face disproportionate violence from state actors, showcasing intersectionality of race and gender in experiences of violence.

Gendered Violence in Conflict Zones

• Conflict-related sexual violence disproportionately affects women, using rape as a tool of war for oppression and ethnic cleansing.
• Systematic abuse is evident in various historical and contemporary conflicts across the globe, emphasizing the intersection of global politics and gender-based violence.

Movements and Solutions Against Violence

• Grassroots Activism
• Movements such as #MeToo and organizational coalitions aim to address both domestic violence and other forms of gender-related violence through activism and legislative changes.
• Emphasis on collaborative approaches in movements against state violence and gender oppression as means to reshape narratives and policies.

Conclusion - Paths Forward

• Addressing violence requires systemic reform in legal, economic, and social frameworks.
• Effective solutions involve incorporating marginalized perspectives and identities in policy and advocacy efforts.
• Movements must remain inclusive, pressing for recognition of diverse experiences of violence.