Violence Against Women in Macho Paradox

Women and men are two parts of the human race. Men are important to society just as women are. However, because of the social structure of many cultures and society, men appear as the dominant, superior sex. This leads to the belief that men must control women, dominate them in order to be seen as 'real men'. Katz explore in his novel the need to remove such belief systems and create gender equality to end violence against women and create a balanced society.

Domestic violence is an issue many people face on a daily basis. However, in Katz book, The Macho Paradox, chapter 1 opens the discussion of domestic abuse seen as a common event in the American landscape. "...found that two-thirds of American men say that domestic violence is very or fairly common in the U.S., and in a 2005 national survey...92% of respondents said that family violence is a much bigger problem than people think." (Katz 2) While domestic violence is an issue that has been explored and examined, daily potential violence is something that has not been as observed.

Katz mentions following the initial quote that women have a long mental checklist they have to mentally check off each time they go outside. From carrying mace, to watching what they wear, to never leaving their drink unattended, the never ending list shows the fear women have of coming across a potential moment of violence in their day-to-day lives. This kind of violence shifts from domestic to sexual and gender-based violence against women. Women as a whole have to fear more than men concerning sexual assault, murder attempts and so forth.

The reason women remain hypervigilant according to Katz is because of the numerous and ongoing reports of women raped, assaulted, and killed. These reports on the news and in movies not only makes it seem normal for violence against women to exist, but also is a part of a large problem in modern society where men and boys are raised to see the mistreatment of women as part of being a man within a patriarchal culture. With emphasis on sex and misogyny prevalent in most cultures around the world, the consequence then becomes an acceptance and proliferation of violence against women.

For violence against women to end, this women's issue must become a men's issue as well. Katz notes midway in chapter 1 that if men are reprimanded for not aiding in the movement to end violence against women, they become defensive. By including men in the movement and realizing that women are not all angels, men are not all monsters, and making men realize the important ties they have to women (mother, daughter) they can then understand the fight is their fight as well. If men become involved in the movement, laws will be passed, children will be raised to see violence against women is wrong and will make a much longer lasting impact than simply labeling it a women's issue.

Violence against women is often described using passive language. Katz notes in a later chapter the Janet Jackson incident and the failure of reporters to include any reference to Justin Timberlake. Justin Timberlake is the other half of the reason why Janet Jackson bared her bosom to the world. "...he reached across Jackson's gladiator-type bustier and pulled off the fabric covering her right breast. This aspect of the incident was totally overshadowed by the firestorm of controversy about the visual image of her exposed breast." (Katz 109) By using passive language and making it seem like it is the fault of the woman, it removes the responsibility of the man and makes it seem acceptable that this kind of action happened.

Women then become the ones that are responsible for preventing violence against them versus men (the perpetrators). This again makes the issue a women's issue versus a men's issue. If men do not feel any responsibility for their actions, then they will not see what part they would have to play in order to solve the problem. The use of passive and not active language as well as certain descriptors places responsibility and blame on the victim. Another example Katz uses is the term 'child prostitute'. It implies children by nature, are seductive. It implies they willingly engage in sexual activities with adults.

Language is an important an integral part of shifting the issue from just a women's issue to also a men's issue. By using for example "John beat Mary" not "Mary was beaten" (Katz 111), observers see who beat Mary, who committed the act. By changing the language, it removes blame on the victim and moves it to the perpetrator. Katz continues by explaining that victim-blaming is a clear mode of operation when it comes to violence against women, more specifically domestic violence. Battered women for example, are often studied and analyzed to understand why they choose to stay with their abusers. However, there is not much examination into why men choose to commit these crimes against women. Why they choose to abuse?

If researchers and experts look into why men act out in violent ways, the cause of the problem could be resolved. Men experience abuse in their lives. It can be in childhood or as adults. They may take this experience and then become abusers themselves, refusing to be the victim. Men are also raped sometimes by women during a time they were vulnerable. (Bancroft) This may lead to violent outbursts and predatory behavior.

It all begins with children. So many people become violent, disturbed people because of something negative they experienced in their childhood. Katz explains at the end of chapter 11, that social conditioning and personal experiences propel violence against women. The cultural standard of 'real men' should dominate and control women is what propels such violent behaviors as well as what happens to boys and men throughout their lives. In order to truly end the prevalence of violence against women, men and women must see each and other and treat each other as equals. "The close we get to a society where there is economic, social, and political equality between the sexes, the less need there will be for one sex to learn how to dominate the other." (Katz 227)

Katz explains that the belief system ingrained in men early on is what perpetuates violence against women as noted by Rodriguez and Wejnert. "In a male-dominated social set-up, more often men are involved in decision and law making, management and administration where the role of women is confined to obey the rules and regulations." (Rodriguez and Wejnert 42) Male dominance and the need for men to show dominance over women creates the tension that inevitably leads for some to violence.

When a man rapes a woman, according to Katz, it is not simply because he cannot control his sexual urges, it is because he has a desire to dominate, possess, and conquer someone. This also leads to discussion of women and their role in the change in behavior. Women must show men they are more than mere sex objects, that they have talents, personalities, and emotions. By showing men that women are people and not something to control, it removes that desire to conquer women.

In conclusion, gender quality is at the heart of violence against women. If men see it as their duty to control and dominate women, when they cannot, it may lead to violence against women. Women must get men involved not only in the fight against violence, but also in generating a more balanced society. By having women take positions of power, men can see women not as something to be conquered but as people in their own right.

Works Cited

Bancroft, Lundy. Why Does He Do That? Penguin, 2003. Print.

Katz, Jackson. The Macho Paradox: Why Some Men Hurt Women and How All Men Can Help. Sourcebooks, Inc., 2006. Print.

Rodriguez, Eunice and Barbara Wejnert. Enabling Gender Equality. Emerald Group Publishing, 2015. Print.