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Why is VOICE at Tech?
Does Tech culture contribute to sexual violence? Written by Andy Peck.
As in other communities, the cultural elements that may contribute to violence at Tech are largely (though not exclusively) related to gender – that is, to relationships between men and women and the status ascribed to men and women in the community.
Anthropologist Peggy Reeves Sanday has attempted to identify characteristics of “rape-free” versus “rape-prone” societies, and to extend this to campus cultures (http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~psanday/rapea.html). According to her findings and similar to the findings of many others, cultural elements that contribute to rape include male dominance, sexual separation, and high levels of interpersonal violence. In rape-prone environments, she writes, “Behaviors and attitudes prevail that separate the sexes and force men into a posture of proving their manhood [through violence].” By contrast, features of rape-free environments include the ceremonial importance of women and the respect accorded the contributions of women. Sanday explains, “Rape-free societies are characterized by sexual equality and the notion that the sexes are complementary.”
Where does Georgia Tech fit on the spectrum from “rape-free” to “rape-prone”?
Without a full picture of the incidence and prevalence of violence on campus, it’s a little hard to say. Also, the campus is profoundly shaped by the larger culture and society. There is a great deal of sexual violence in that larger culture and society, and it is challenging to identify elements of “Tech culture” that stand apart. Yet, given what is known about sexual violence generally, we can identify troubling elements of the culture on campus.
Read More [ Page 2 ] [ Page 3 ]
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