- Is violence gendered? To what extent does society tolerate violence for men? For women?
- Is slavery itself inherently violent? How do we teach this in the classroom without overwhelming students?
- Is there such a thing as homogeneous womanhood? Or one ideal for all women? Why or why not?
Sample Solution
Yes, violence is gendered. Generally speaking, society tolerates more violence from men than women. This is because the patriarchy has traditionally been seen as a system in which male aggression and dominance are accepted and even encouraged. Men have historically been given greater leeway to act aggressively without fear of consequences or criticism. On the other hand, women who display aggressive behavior are often met with disbelief, judgement, and punishment—even when they are simply defending themselves against an attack or responding to an abuser’s mistreatment of them. The double-standard is so pervasive that many people do not consider it to be problematic; it is just “the way things are” in our culture.
Sample Solution
Yes, violence is gendered. Generally speaking, society tolerates more violence from men than women. This is because the patriarchy has traditionally been seen as a system in which male aggression and dominance are accepted and even encouraged. Men have historically been given greater leeway to act aggressively without fear of consequences or criticism. On the other hand, women who display aggressive behavior are often met with disbelief, judgement, and punishment—even when they are simply defending themselves against an attack or responding to an abuser’s mistreatment of them. The double-standard is so pervasive that many people do not consider it to be problematic; it is just “the way things are” in our culture.
