2024-11-06 10:00:00
thethe facts are now established, both by sector associations and by human and social science research on gender relations, and the Mazan rape trial is an opportunity to remember it: the vast majority of rapes are committed by adult men known to the victim and all social circles are affected.
This violence is, furthermore, naturalized and normalized by dominant representations of virility and heterosexuality. In popular and legitimate culture, the sexual coercion of women by men is in fact readily presented as desirable: far from being only the prerogative of pornography or dark romance., these scenarios are also found in arthouse cinema and children’s cartoons.
Sexual violence cannot be explained by a single source of cultural influence that can be isolated and censored. The disposition of men to dominate and coerce is part of a socialization towards heterosexual virility, in turn favored by a patriarchal cultural environment.
Active production of ignorance
Becoming aware of gender violence therefore implies a personal and collective transformation which, for heterosexual men, involves the profound deconstruction and reconstruction of their relationship with women, with other men and with themselves.
Many of them, however, still think they are above the problem. They would be too “educated”, “adults”, “normal” et “responsible” be reduced to common “rapists”. Recognizing that the way we learn about manhood and heterosexuality makes us a potential perpetrator of violence is an uncomfortable position indeed; and rape is, in fact, an issue that tends to mobilize more people who might suffer it than people who might commit it.
Unfortunately, sexual violence is not only explained by a lack of education, but also by a lack of interest and commitment on the part of men. Their ignorance of feminist knowledge on sexual violence is also linked to the desire to remain in their comfort zone, in their perimeter of privilege, in their dominant status.
Faced with this active production of ignorance, educating men to engage in the prevention of gender violence is first and foremost a long-term task, because men do not change overnight. It is also a complex job, because it requires educational reflexivity to position oneself in a comprehensive way with respect to the postures of denial of violence; but also boring and thankless work, which is sometimes naturalized as a “women’s work”sometimes disparaged as “castrator” et “party pooper”.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Gender Studies Expert
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today. With the recent Mazan rape trial making headlines, there seems to be a renewed focus on the pervasive issue of sexual violence. What underlying societal factors do you believe contribute most significantly to this epidemic?
Expert: Thank you for having me. The facts highlight a profound issue: sexual violence is primarily perpetrated by known adult men within victims’ social circles. We’re dealing with a cultural landscape where violence is often normalized and even romanticized within various forms of media, from arthouse cinema to children’s cartoons. This saturation affects how people—particularly men—understand and engage with notions of virility and sexuality.
Time.news Editor: That’s a powerful observation. You mention the normalization of violence in media. Can you elaborate on how dominant cultural narratives shape perceptions of masculinity and impact real-life behaviors?
Expert: Certainly. The representations of virility and heterosexuality in our culture establish a blueprint of what it means to be a man. These portrayals often glorify dominance, coercion, and even violence as desirable traits. In this context, boys and men grow up internalizing that to assert their masculinity, they must embrace these harmful behaviors or attitudes. It becomes about power dynamics, and unfortunately, many fail to recognize that this doesn’t just stay confined to fictional scenarios; it spills over into actual relationships and societal interactions.
Time.news Editor: You touch on a critical point regarding socialization. How can we actively combat this cultural narrative to foster healthier understandings of masculinity and consent?
Expert: The journey towards change begins with awareness and education. For heterosexual men, this involves a rigorous process of deconstructing their relationships—both with women and among themselves. It’s crucial to engage in conversations that promote vulnerability and accountability. Recognizing that everyone has the potential to be a perpetrator of violence, regardless of their self-perception, is an uncomfortable but necessary step in this transformation.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like shifting these narratives requires personal introspection as well as societal change. How can we foster an environment that encourages men to take responsibility and engage in this transformation?
Expert: Creating safe spaces for open dialogue is essential. Initiatives like workshops, community discussions, and support groups allow men to explore their beliefs about masculinity and challenge harmful stereotypes. Additionally, media literacy plays a key role—educating individuals on how to critically analyze the media they consume can help dismantle these harmful messages. The change must be collective, involving both men and women, as we work towards reshaping our cultural norms.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for those insights. what role do you believe institutions—schools, workplaces, and media—should play in this effort?
Expert: Institutions have a profound responsibility. Schools should integrate comprehensive education on consent and healthy relationships into their curricula. Workplaces need policies that actively address and prevent sexual harassment and promote a culture of respect. Media, too, must take accountability for the narratives they choose to propagate, ensuring they do not endorse stereotypes that contribute to gender-based violence. Ultimately, it will take a concerted effort across all sectors of society to effect meaningful change.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your valuable perspective. It’s clear that addressing the root causes of sexual violence requires multifaceted action, involving awareness, education, and societal commitment. Let’s hope that discussions like these spark the necessary change.
Expert: Thank you. I hope so too. Change is indeed possible if we all commit to it.