Category: Men and masculinity

The Kiss that Overshadowed Spanish Women’s Soccer History

Women’s soccer is a passion of mine and while USA is my team, even I had to admit that at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Spain was a dominant force. Their team was among the best, if not the best, that I had watched in my time as a fan. I spent the cup in awe of their ability. This came at a time in which women’s sports are beginning to gain traction, more people than ever watched the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, the University of Nebraska’s women’s volleyball team broke the record for highest attendance at a women’s sporting event, and the World Cup itself was gaining viewership. This team was poised to make history and make history they did. In front of the eyes of the world they brought home Spain’s first ever Women’s World Cup Final victory. Unfortunately, the attention on their victory did not last.

During their celebrations, Vice President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso without her consent. Within the week Spanish soccer shut down. No longer were discussions of the women’s team about their victory, but instead about this kiss and the perpetrator who refuses to step down.

The public outcry has been somewhat unique compared to many incidents in women’s sports. In past instances the supporters of the women that were impacted by these events are majority women as well, especially within the realm of support from other athletes, but this time was different. Players from men’s and women’s teams across Spain made statements in open opposition to Rubiales continuing to hold his office. Athletes from both sections of Spanish soccer have pledged to refuse to play for Spain so long as Rubiales remains in office.

Are there instances that have played out in a similar manner in other settings? I’m curious if there has been similar support for a woman in this sort of situation outside of sports.

Greek Life & Sexual Assault

https://marquettewire.org/4057502/opinion/cady-greek-life-needs-more-restrictions/

 

For my article of choice, I wanted to tackle the ever growing opinion of sexual assaults’ on campus by Greek life. Cady outlines their article by stating “there are over 1,500 sororities and fraternities in the nation” and follows this by juxtaposing the “sunny disposition” they are often granted with. When Cady provides examples of sexual assault and harassment cases (even deaths), I feel all too often many of these fraternities are given too many chances before any appropriate action is taken.

Cady reports that fraternities can be given “warnings” or flagged, but it seems that the behavior from these organizations continues to persist. At their own university, a fraternity called “Triangle Fraternity” was charged. Not only on “violating alcohol-related policies”, but also on the grounds on sexual misconduct. Unfortunately, the fraternity was only met with sexual misconduct prevention training. It troubles me deeply that this fraternity must be “trained” on how to prevent this from happening.

It reminds me of a time a close friend of mine attended a sorority-fraternity party/dance our freshman year. A frat member had to ask a sorority member to be a date. At the end of the party/dance, my friend was severely intoxicated. I did not know she was back in our dorm until she messaged me. Apparently, the date she went with would not leave the room. When I arrived, she mouthed “help me” as the date was laying behind her rubbing her arm. Though she did not tell him to leave, she did mention that she was tired to him (which most would indicate that as a sign to go).

I’m also reminded of another instance where I went to a fraternity party myself. Not only was the house in disarray and obnoxiously pungent, I remember a specific frat boy who hung around the intoxicated women all night. Asking them to come upstairs, feeding them more alcohol, or to go back to their place; when obviously, they were too drunk to make that decision themselves.

So, is it too far to ask that fraternities face more serious consequences? Or is it best that they be faced with misconducts and training?

Difret: Changing Child Marriage and Bride Abduction Customs

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The feature film, Difret, produced by Angelina Jolie, portrays the real-world court case defending the Ethiopian girl Hirut  from a murder charge when she killed the rapist who abducted her. The film brings to light the ongoing issue of child marriage in many parts of the world. This custom of abduction of young girls disrupts their education and chances for a better life, leading to early pregnancies, poor health outcomes and continuing poverty for them and their children.

Advocates for change in these customs realize the need to understand and change male attitudes and cultures of masculinity. What varying models and representations of masculinity do you see in this film? How do you think these models will continue to strengthen or change in the aftermath of Hirut’s case? What would you recommend to try and change these cultures of masculinity that perpetuate child marriage?

Male Rape, Harassment and Domestic Abuse to be tackled by New Government Drive

Dearden, Lizzie. The Independent. Male rape, harassment and domestic abuse to be tackled by new government drive. September 06, 2017. Independent Digital News and Media. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/male-rape-sexual-violence-domestic-abuse-violence-against-women-cps-vawg-prosecutors-help-support-a7931956.html. May 21, 2018.

 

Author, Lizzie Dearden, presents a fairly peculiar circumstance where the males are victims of sexual harassment in the workplace. In this article written on September 6th, 2017, Dearden wrote that the government introduced a new drive to, “better help male victims of rape, domestic and sexual abuse and bring perpetrators to justice” (Dearden, 2017). Gender‐based violence is usually something that is committed against women and it affects women disproportionately. Violence against women is understood as a violation of human rights and a clear example of discrimination however, for the government to just come up with a “new drive” for males who experience rape, sexual abuse and etc is just flabbergasting.

So many of the women’s cases go unreported because of their fear to be judged or punished for already experiencing punishment and men are being rewarded justice for being treated in the same ways. Dearden stated, “regardless of a person’s gender, these crimes have a significant and distressing impact on the victim” so, wouldn’t it be fair for women to be able to receive the same amount of justice for being attacked as well (Dearden, 2017)? Or is it that women will continue to suffer in this patriarchal society due to the government’s lack of ability to ensure the safety of all minorities.