Understanding and Stopping Violence Against Women

Malamuth, Neil., Briere, John. 1986. "Sexual Violence in the Media: Indirect Effects on Aggression Against Women." Journal of Social Issues 42(3):75-92 * Research done by Malamuth and Briere has shown links between violent and sexual images of women in mass media and the development of thought patterns of aggression and antisocial behavior. Within their research they tested men exposed to violent or sexual images of women in the media, as well as pornography. On such experiment was to test images in pornography men were shown three situations a rape with positive effects for the woman, a rape with negative effects for the woman, and consensual sex. The responses of the men were recorded. I find this study particularly interesting because it doesn't just show that erotic-aggressive images in pornography can cause aggression, but that it can actually alter thought patterns. This research provides a lot of information on how a culture can be formed thinking a certain way because of what they are exposed to.

I wanted to bookmark the recap because this latest episode of Criminal Minds involves so many elements of the articles we have read, as well as the class discussions. It's about a white male police officer at the Texas border who was killing illegal immigrants who were trying to cross into the US. The female sheriff was doing her best to end the murders but wasn't getting any cooperation from her deputies or the government. She ends up getting killed by the police officer because she was getting too close to solving the crimes. The deputies in the town kept wasting time by trying to pin the murders on a local gang instead of trying to find the actual murderer. Throughout the episode there was talk about how things like this are allowed to happen with little action taken by the government, which coincides with many of the articles that we have read. There was also an illegal immigrant woman who was separated from her family by the person who was helping them get across the border and he raped her, which is what the border rape article was all about.

Kim, Julia C., Lorna J. Martin and Lynette Denny. 2003. "Rape and HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: Addressing the Dual Epidemics in South Africa." Reproductive Health Matters 11(22, HIV/AIDS, Sexual and Reproductive Health: Intimately Related):101-112. This article is very important for my paper because it looks at the way that the South African government deals with post-exposure prophylaxis. This is important for this paper because it looks at one way that rape and HIV are linked. The link between rape and HIV, especially in South Africa is key to the paper because it constitutes a major risk of rape, especially in South Africa. Additionally, it argues that there is a very strong link between sexual violence against women and the spread of HIV.

The Global fund for women is part of a global women's movement that is rooted in a commitment to justice and an appreciation of the value of women's experience. As well as, the challenges women face vary widely across communities, cultures, religions, traditions and countries. They believe that women should have a full range of choices, and that women themselves know best how to determine their needs and propose solutions for lasting change. This organization is involved in grant making so that it can seed, strengthen and link women's rights groups based outside the United States working to address human rights issues, which focus on issues such as girls\education, violence against women and economic independence.

This organization is very important because they recognize the many forms of violence against women, not only personal but also social. They are working toward creating peaceful communities while raising awareness to violence persisted against women. I like how they reach out to women around the world because I feel this strengthens the ties between women on a global sense. What women need to create change is money and the Global Fund is doing exactly this.

This is an analysis of the issue of Femicide from the point of view of three Central American activists who are from Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. These three activists analyze Femicide and the impact that it has had on women from a political, economic and social. It is interesting to see the similarities that the three countries have and how clear we can see the patterns within three different viewpoints.

This article informs us on the level of involvement that women are taking part in the demonstrations and activism in Honduras. The biggest issue that is spoken about in this article is the militarization of the National Institute of Women (INAM). This is a threat to all women in Honduras because their resources are being blocked and controlled by the government. Another issue that is discussed is the sexualized aggression against women when they are protesting for their rights.

I would like to preface this by saying that I love James Brown and respect him as the Godfather of Soul and appreciate his work not only for it in itself, but for all of the artists whose work he influenced. I am glad that Christina Aguilera took the effort to honor him at the 2007 Grammy's, but am not sure why she picked "Its a Mans World" as the song to sing in his remembrance. I can admit that I like the song, but not the lyrics. I feel that this song is pertinent to our class because it shows that patriarchy is still the driving force behind our society. James Brown has produced so much work worthy of remembering, but this particular song makes me uncomfortable. It shouldn't be just a man's world, but everyone's world. I'm glad that he decided "it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl," but I just don't think that is the right approach. I had a difficult time choosing between this song and Respect by Aretha Franklin because they are both great, but then I found Christina's version and thought it was worth mentioning.

I must admit as well that I love this song and Christina Aguilera. With that being said, this song title captures the essence of our patriarchal society. James Brown was a brilliant musician and to be a true artist, you must observe the world you live and and deliver your emotional response. He did this by acknowleging the reality that we live in a society of male privilege. I would also like to add that this clip is another example of how the media helps to perpetuate our beliefs about women and is a tool to keep women subordinate to men.

This is absolutely a crazy article. The author goes into how colleges and universities are being taken over by women and are becoming unsafe for men, as they will most likely be accused of rape. The author then takes a stab at feminism by saying that schools are being taken over by feminists, which is ruining the system.