(no subject)
Today in my anthropology class something very disturbing happened. We were discussing the theoretical debates of cultural anthropology and my professor began with the argument of biological determinism vs. cultural construction. For anyone who doesn't know what this argument is, it is basically the nature vs. nurture debate. That is, do we act the way we do based on biological factors (DNA etc.) or how we are raised/our environment?
My professor began by asking whether there were any biological factors that made men more suited for certain positions (CEOs, lawyers, doctors) than women. The majority of the class responded, 'No. Men are not biologically better than women for those positions.' The professor then gave some statistics on how the number of men is greater in these professions than the number of women. Then she explained that this is because in our culture women are encouraged to be "domestic" and to be quieter and more passive than men. She also pointed out that our culture views the feminine as negative (i.e. saying "You run like a girl") This statement sent many students into fits of anger. Several female students protested that women were just born more timid and shy. As the discussion continued people began to get more and more upset. The subject turned to the difficulties women face in professions and schools primarily dominated by men.
My professor talked about a woman in the 1990s who applied to and was accepted to an elite all male university. This woman was apparently harassed and eventually assaulted to make her drop out. In response to this, the aforementioned female students said, "Well why did she want to apply to a boy's school anyway? If she didn't apply and go there then it wouldn't have happened." My professor was in shock and asked, "So you're saying that it's her fault?" They replied, "Yeah. You'd never see a guy going to an all girl's school! Boys don't like hanging out with girls and don't like being told what to do by girls either!"
I was so upset I had to briefly leave the classroom. I just couldn't believe I was hearing victim blaming coming from other women. I know it was silly of me to be surprised since sexism and victim blaming can come from anyone, but I'd never heard that kind of insensitivity come from other women before. One thing that did make me feel a bit better is that when I came back in some of the guys looked pretty angry about the whole thing. But all I could think was, "Is this really what we've all come to?"
My professor began by asking whether there were any biological factors that made men more suited for certain positions (CEOs, lawyers, doctors) than women. The majority of the class responded, 'No. Men are not biologically better than women for those positions.' The professor then gave some statistics on how the number of men is greater in these professions than the number of women. Then she explained that this is because in our culture women are encouraged to be "domestic" and to be quieter and more passive than men. She also pointed out that our culture views the feminine as negative (i.e. saying "You run like a girl") This statement sent many students into fits of anger. Several female students protested that women were just born more timid and shy. As the discussion continued people began to get more and more upset. The subject turned to the difficulties women face in professions and schools primarily dominated by men.
My professor talked about a woman in the 1990s who applied to and was accepted to an elite all male university. This woman was apparently harassed and eventually assaulted to make her drop out. In response to this, the aforementioned female students said, "Well why did she want to apply to a boy's school anyway? If she didn't apply and go there then it wouldn't have happened." My professor was in shock and asked, "So you're saying that it's her fault?" They replied, "Yeah. You'd never see a guy going to an all girl's school! Boys don't like hanging out with girls and don't like being told what to do by girls either!"
I was so upset I had to briefly leave the classroom. I just couldn't believe I was hearing victim blaming coming from other women. I know it was silly of me to be surprised since sexism and victim blaming can come from anyone, but I'd never heard that kind of insensitivity come from other women before. One thing that did make me feel a bit better is that when I came back in some of the guys looked pretty angry about the whole thing. But all I could think was, "Is this really what we've all come to?"