Question

Rebecca Solnit’s title describes violence against women as “The Longest War,” and Michael Kimmel articulates how societal expectations for men constrain their behavior and in many ways limit their emotions and relationships.

Solnit lists an unsettling number of violent crimes against women. She argues, “We have an abundance of rape and violence against women in this country and on this Earth, though it’s almost never treated as a civil rights or human rights issue, or a crisis, or even a pattern. Violence doesn’t have a race, a class, a religion, or a nationality, but it does have a gender” (523). Do you agree with her claim that violence is gendered? Why or why not? Do you think that treating violence against women as a pattern would make a difference? Why or why not?

Answer 1

I agree with her claim that violence is gendered. There are more instances of crime against women world over in different forms and places. The violence is reported for women of all age groups from young to married women by their partners, in society, families, communities, workplaces and close relationships.

It will make a difference treating violence against women as a pattern as it will address the causes and ways to reduce such instances by understanding the various types of crimes. The measures for prevention of such violence can be taken treating it as a pattern and creating a social awareness and responsibility to avoid such violence. The women can be provided supported to deal with such violence with guidance and creating provisions for those committing violence based on the reasons and type of violence. The social agencies and welfare groups can involve themselves to ensure better condition of women in different societies and reducing cases of gender based violence by proper identification, monitoring and control.