THE EDITOR, Sir:
Recently there have been some reports about rape in Grants Pen. We suggest that the analysis of this news item be deepened and extended as it is of critical importance, and not limited to Grants Pen.
Those who work in communities around issues related to gender and youth are aware that the horror of guys demanding sex, raping, threatening families if they don't give up a girl they want, etc has been going on for a long time and is happening in many troubled areas. We must be reminded and remind others that we cannot look at the 'men in crisis' situation without looking at what's happening with women - who are in crisis also when we accept that sexual violence against women is endemic.
Rather than the report of rape(s) and death, rather than allowing it to be a two-day media wonder, you could instead open up an ongoing discussion and analysis around values re masculinity and (abuse of) power.
We know the rape and sexual violence is linked to the fact that sexual conquest is the last resort for a disempowered man to 'gain status' when the other ways of gaining status - such as money, good job, house, car, public recognition - are not available to him. Our society places much emphasis on men having 'status' and 'being in control'; indeed these are major determinants of masculinity.
Women's Media Watch suggests this on the basis of workshop responses given by young men (and women) and boys, in sessions we've been doing over the past couple of years in schools, police youth clubs and other such fora. We discuss what boys and young men feel make them 'man' - sexual power, control, ability to fight etc are identified. We also discuss the circumstances under which young men and women (and boys/girls) feel that forced sex (they don't see it as rape) is 'acceptable' or 'inevitable'. Financial obligation and several other circumstances, are seen to automatically entitle the male to sex, which must then be demanded, or forced.
All this needs to be more openly discussed in an ongoing manner. Determinants of masculinity that include violence, abuse of power, sexual violence affect the attitudes and behaviour not only of inner-city youth but men in middle class and professional environments too.
We are realizing, increasingly, that gender is directly linked to critical problems in our society - i.e. many different forms of violence, largely (but not solely) perpetrated by men. We sincerely hope that mainstream media will play its part in this crucial continued analysis of gender and issues of national development.
I am, etc.,
H. NICHOLSON
wmw@cwjamaica.com
