Gendered Power and Violence

            In chapter 12, Gendered Power and Violence, in the book, Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender, and Culture, by Julia T. Wood, Wood discusses gendered and sexual violence, rape, partner violence, and sexual harassment. Wood defines sexual assault as, “…any sexual activity that occurs without the informed consent of at least one of the people involved” (Wood 255). Wood explains how sexual assault is especially present on college campuses across the country. Tons of women experience unwanted sexual interactions with others during their years at college. According to Wood, there is a “rape culture” present at colleges and universities. Some females feel that certain men have sexually violated them; but are constantly questioning themselves and wonder if they were “asking for it” with a sexy outfit. Wood refers to this as “…blaming the victim: holding a person responsible for the harm that another person has inflicted” (257).  Some tend to blame rape on women because of their outfits or because of the way they were acting or dancing. Revealing clothing can provoke men; some think it is an invitation for men to take advantage of women sexually.

            Wood also discusses rape culture that is currently present in the Congo and Rwanda. Women and men are victims of rape during times of war. Some may believe that sexual violence happens often because of war.  Although men are thought to protect women, in times of war, men are more likely to target women in order to assert and prove their dominance to others. Sexual violence is a form of communication between men. I think that men have a certain motive to rape women because it communicates victory and a sense of accomplishment to their enemies. Rape can be seen as a way for men to conquer women’s bodies. I also believe that males use rape to show and prove their masculinity to other male figures. In today’s society women are normally seen as sex objects; meaning that men tend to use women for their bodies in order to demonstrate hetero-nationality.

            Wood goes on to talk about intimate partner violence; which, “is physical, mental, emotional, verbal, or economic power used by one partner against the other partner in a romantic relationship” (260.) I think it is really hard to define and recognize partner violence. Some people make excuses for their intimate partners because of how much they love their partner even if their partner is emotionally or physically abusive. Wood argues that there are a lot of differences in the type of violence committed by men and women that can occur in different types of relationships. Men tend to use physical abuse to assert their dominance and gain self-esteem. On the other hand women can emotional abuse others and can manipulate social situations in order to hurt their partner. Although intimate relationships can be very rewarding, men and women need to be careful and realize the difference between a healthy and an unhealthy relationship.

            Another part of the chapter talks about how the media has normalized sexual violence. More specifically, Wood talks about pornography and how pornography often includes violence against women. This material normally includes men emotionally and physically dominating and degrading women. Women who participate in violent pornography are normally seen enjoying this type of pain. Violent pornography can lead to men believing that women actually enjoy being taken advantage of, degraded, and physically hurt while having sexual experiences. Men who are exposed to different forms of violent pornography are more likely to believe that it is okay to rape women. I think that the pornography industry is taking advantage of women and exploiting them for their own personal gain.

            I think this chapter is very interesting. One part of the chapter that really sparked a lot of emotion for me was about violent pornography. I have done a lot of background research already about violent and rape pornography and how these videos affect men, women, and younger children. I strongly believe that there is a relationship between porn and real violence against women. I believe that rape is used for men to communicate their dominance to women and other men. Some men want to emotionally and physically dominate a woman’s body for his own personal use.  Pornography can transforms a male who was not previously interested in the more abusive types of pornography into one who is turned on by such material. I think this is a major issue that needs to be addressed and explored. Is it safe for women to be participating in rape and violent pornography? Exposure to this type of porn can lead men to want to try some of the behaviors depicted.

            I want to ask the class if they think there is a relationship between porn and real violence against women. Do you think men who have had more exposure to sexual violent pornography videos are more likely to act out their sexual desires to rape a woman? More and more men and women believe that it is “okay” to engage in forceful sexual activities, do you think that the media has any influence on this belief?

Gendered Organizational Communication

            In chapter 10, Gendered Organizational Communication, of Gendered Lives: Communication, Gender, and Culture by Julia Wood, Wood discusses the cultural understandings of gender and communication. Wood starts of the chapter by arguing that there are social expectations that come with each gender and these social expectations influence how we behave, act, and treat others. In our society there are many stereotypes that we assume for men and women. Wood argues that women are categorized into four different roles, which reflect gendered stereotypes. These four roles are: sex object, mother, child and iron maiden. The first, sex object, relates women’s work to sex or their sexuality. In our society, there is a major focus on women’s bodies. Women are constantly being judged for their appearance and body image. Our culture tends to judge women’s work off of appearance. The second, mother, refers to a women’s caring nature. Society often believes that women should always take care of and support others. This stereotyped role also refers to a mother’s want to have children. Women in the work force are normally taken less seriously if they have children or plan to have children. The third stereotyped role, child, reflects a view of women as less knowledgeable and capable of certain jobs and that they should not be taken seriously in certain fields of work. Lastly, the iron maiden reflects a view of women that are independent and tough; these women are normally seen as unfeminine.

Wood goes on to discuss the three gendered stereotypes of men. These three stereotyped roles are: sturdy oak, fighter, and breadwinner. Wood says, “The sturdy oak is a self-sufficient pillar of strength who is never weak or reliant on others” (Wood 213). This role reflects the gendered stereotype that men are always emotionally strong and never need to be supported by others. The second role, fighter reflects how men are expected to act like “brave warriors” in society. This displays how men are expected to be aggressive and competitive at all times. The last stereotyped role, breadwinner, reflects how our society expects men to bring home more money than their wives and be the main supporter of their families.

An interesting part of the chapter is when Wood discusses and defines the glass ceiling and glass walls. Wood defines the glass ceiling, “as an invisible barrier that limits the advancements of women and minorities” (222). Wood argues that there is a subtle discrimination against women in the work place that prevents women and minorities from receiving a promotion or raise. Women are stereotyped to have children and start families. This leads men and others to believe that women cannot advance in their careers. Wood then defines the glass wall as, “a metaphor for sex segregation on the job, in which women are placed in ‘pink collar’ positions that require skills traditionally associated with women” (222). Both the glass ceiling and wall are subtly preventing women from acquiring certain jobs because of the stereotypes of women within our society. This discrimination makes it harder for women to get hired, get paid fairly, and receive promotions in the work force. Wood talks about efforts that have been made to change this discrimination against women and minorities. The two main examples in the chapter “are Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (1964), which prohibits discrimination in employment, and Title IX (1972), which forbids discrimination in educational programs that receive federal aid” (223-224). Although strives have been made in order to promote equal opportunities in the work place for men and women, women are still having difficulties being taken seriously in certain places of work.

I thought this chapter raised some very interesting arguments about gendered stereotypes of men and women and about equal opportunities in the work force. There are so many social expectations that come with each gender which affect how one acts in society. Personally I see the gendered stereotypes that Wood discussed in both of my parents. My mom is a real estate agent and a mother to three children. Before my mom had kids, she worked on Wall Street and I know that she had a hard time being taken seriously in that type of work place. On the other hand my dad has worked on Wall Street since he left college has had no trouble in the work place. I am not sure if my mom ever received a promotion on Wall Street but I know that my dad has received multiple promotions in different areas of work. I think this is interesting comparing my parents’ careers. I consider both my parents very successful, hard working people, but I do believe that my mom has had to work a little bit harder than my dad to be given respect and to be taken seriously.

I think it would be interesting to ask the class whether they see these gendered stereotypes in their parents as well. I know that in today’s society more women are starting to become the main breadwinner of families instead of men. Do my peers know any families in which the wife is the main breadwinner and the husband is the main care giver?