Had to copy the text as it was too long to screenshot PDF found here (https://skydrive.live.com/redir?resid=65940ED35C7055AE!19256) :

Corrected an ignorant post I found in the Rape Culture tag

Actual real life feminist’s answer to your question: Probably because of the Patriarchy. To get more in depth, Patriarchy rests in the idea that men are stronger, more assertive, more aggressive (which is also why historically men have been made to go to war by other men and women kept out of it, also why women have been expected to stay at home and have kids while men work). We live in a Patriarchy. Laws written in a patriarchal society are bound to have the same prejudices and faulty ideas as society, which is that men are inherently more aggressive and dangerous. Juries will have absorbed society’s ideas and will often feel more threatened by male criminals. (Note, this is often only the case for white women. Black women and other women of colour are often seen as inherently criminal for the colour of their skin, so can get disproportionately lengthy prison sentences). Although men probably do commit more violent crimes, feminists do not believe this is an inherent trait, but a self-fulfilling prophecy that comes from living within a patriarchy which encourages boys to prove their manliness by living up to assertive, aggressive, often violent roles. We acknowledge that women can be just as aggressive and vile. I haven’t seen a feminist dispute that a woman has the potential to commit the same crimes as men, although certainly not as many women do commit these crimes. However, women don’t have it as easy as you think here, either. When it comes to certain cases, gender roles can mean that juries that see women acting in ways that stand against what they believe a woman traditionally should be as even more abhorrent, and they can be harsher on them.

Actual real life feminist’s answer to your question: More women are thought to experience domestic violence at the hands of men because of the patriarchy’s pressure on boys and men to prove their assertiveness, often times they prove this through misogyny and violence. Also the male gender role can be stifling for boys because it teaches them to hold in emotion. This can be dangerous because it means a lot of boys can grow up with a lot of anger inside of them that threatens to come out in violence in some personalities. However, because of the same gender roles I explained before, when men are assaulted and abused by their wives, they often aren’t taken seriously by a patriarchal society that sees women as gentle, more emotional, and less violent than men. Also, because men are under a lot of pressure to live up to the traditional male gender role, many will feel too ashamed to come forward about being abused or assaulted by women. It can make many male victims feel ashamed because often people will disbelieve them or make them feel weak for not being able to stop the attack. Gender roles are something feminism actively challenges. We think that if gender roles become less important, more male victims will be able to come forward, and less men will hurt women because there will be less pressure from society to prove themselves as men. At the moment violence can = manliness, which is obviously dangerous and should stop. I believe most women’s shelters were made for women by women, but as a feminist I would definitely support there being male shelters too. However, I think you can understand why women might not want a mixed shelter, and vice versa. The problem has been men demanding entrance to women’s shelters, which I’m sure you can see could be problematic. Again, the police have the same bias as society and will often believe in gender roles, thinking a man ought to be able to fight off a violent woman. Then we’re back to the fact that abusive male partners do tend to me more violent and physically aggressive than female ones, committing more violent assaults more frequently. It’s the self-fulfilling prophecy again, and it keeps the cycle going.

Actual real life feminist’s answer to your question: Did you hear recently of the rape of actor Shia LaBeouf? He basically said he had been raped by a woman during a piece of performance art. I think you’ll find it was feminists that rallied to support him as a male victim. The men’s movements as a whole were mysteriously silent here, although there were some exceptions, of course. I saw a great many men mocking Shia and calling him names, when really he showed bravery in telling people what happened. This is part of the Patriarchy. It’s the gender role narrative again, that men should be strong and assertive. A woman raping a man challenges that narrative so many people ridicule the male victim. That’s wrong. Feminism, at least the feminism I have seen and consider myself a part of, is not in the least against supporting male rape victims. In fact, I’ve yet to see a feminist against that. However, as the name suggests FEMinism works primarily to liberate women. That might sound unfair at first but let me explain a little further. More women come forward with their rapes, and from what we know, it seems more women are raped by men than men by women. (That’s not even counting the amount of accused men that are allowed to go free by the courts). Male rapists seem to be overwhelmingly higher in number. That doesn’t make male rape victims less important, it just means that in terms of numbers, the help has gone to those with the highest need. I know three women who have been raped by men, and more that have been sexually assaulted. Feminists also believe in a thing called Rape Culture, in which as part of the patriarchy, (the gender roles thing again, men= assertive/strong/powerful women= passive/weak/emotional) men are encouraged to support the violation of women and the stripping of their agency (sexual or otherwise) as part of proving their manliness. (I’m not saying all men take part in this, but it’s still a prevalent and noticeable theme in our culture). Rape Culture can be seen in casual banter, rape jokes, the fact women can be held responsible for being raped due to what they were wearing/how much they’d had to drink, school dress codes (in which bra straps are considered inappropriate even on young girls that absolutely should not be being sexualised at all). Rape culture is a culture of misogyny and it hurts women. Therefore a lot of women have taken measures to protect themselves and each other, providing help centres. Rape, or the threat of rape, is such a common theme in the lives of women, and that is why there are more resources for female victims. I’d agree, though, that male victims need to be taken seriously too. That, however, is not the job of feminists. I wonder why this request is only ever laid at the door of feminists who are struggling to cope as it is? Why not go to the so called Men’s Rights Activists and ask why they cannot set up some resources and centres for male rape victims? That would be more constructive, would it not? I think every feminist I’ve ever spoken to would agree that any gender can rape or be raped. Your problem here would be, again, with gender roles and a patriarchal society which sees men as inherently aggressive and more dangerous than women.

Actual real life feminist’s answer to your question: Maybe because of street harassment, which is still a thing that happens a lot? Or maybe just to avoid people like you?

Look, if you want to debate feminism then I’m sure there will be feminists out there that will take one for the team and explain stuff to you. But to make a post that’s made out of strawman arguments to try to prove a group is in the wrong is a pretty low blow and doesn’t make any point other than that you will use some underhand tactics to stop people from learning and making up their own minds about feminism. Anti-stupidity-capaldi I have taken screen shots of your post here rather than reblogging because it is easier in this format. I’m (obviously) not trying to take credit for it. Anyway, you’re mentioned here so people know that was your post. I’m assuming you won’t mind me responding since you seem to respond to posts you disagree with on your own blog. (If anyone wants to add to this then feel free. I’ve written this on the spur of the moment. There may be many typos. Also if you could add sources that would be grand. I know I ought to but I haven’t got time right now. It would be helpful if you could. I know this is very basic at the moment. Apologies for that.) Filed under feminism anti-stupidity-capaldi sexism patriarchy response my posts