The reasons of the epidemic of rаpe among fraternities and sororities

STUDENT: Yana Dovgopola

INSTRUCTOR: Olena Synyavska

COURSE: Practical Course of English

RAPE ABUSE: The reasons of the epidemic of rаpe among fraternities and sororities

Rape is a traumatic experience that isn't always reported (Kalof, 2004). For many college students, college brings more freedom and fewer restrictions than they may have been accustomed to during their high school years. Many college students are naive about the consequences that can arise from certain social situations. Many are away from home and in dating relationships for the first time. They are experimenting with new, sometimes risky behavior, such as drinking and drugs, as they test their independence. That activity, combined with lack of understanding about definitions of consent, makes them vulnerable to non-consensual sex. With reference to Bleecker (2005) college students are in one of the most vulnerable age groups for sexual assault. Some studies suggest that campus rape and sexual assault are extremely common, with the vast majority of victims being female (Bleecker, 2005). Boys and girls are united in a group called fraternity and sorority. Furthermore there are various descriptions attitudes towards such group. The present paper undertakes to review the literature on the fraternity members are frequently involved in the sexual assaults of women, but  also fraternities are rarely studied as social contexts-groups and organizations-that encourage the sexual coercion of women (Linda Kalof, 2004). It is noteworthy that there is a difference between the views and attitudes toward rape among fraternity and non-fraternity members (Bleecker, 2005). Following Kalof there is another view that women who attend those sorority clubs play the important part in legitimizing fraternity sexual aggressiveness. Of particular interest is that there is some evidence that attitudes about gender roles and experiences with sexual victimization of sorority and non-sorority women are absolutely different (Kaloff, 2004). In this paper, I attempt to clarify the reasons because of which men commit violence. I plan to begin with stereotypical conception of masculinity and heterosexuality, superiority and dominance, afterwards the use of alcohol as a weapon against women's sexual reluctance and the last but not least propaganda of the ideas of violence and dominance over women among fraternity members.

The first cause is stereotypical conception of masculinity and heterosexuality, superiority and dominance. According to Kalof some researchers insist that: “fraternity life is based on a long-standing tradition of subordinating, violating, and using women”. In her study she identified that violence, rape, female objectification, and the use of coercion in sexual relations occupy a fundamental role in the activities of the group (Kaloff, 2004). With reference to Bleecker men admit their impact on women and they insist on the existence of hyper-masculinity and that main role in the structure of the relationships among men and women assigned to man. One in twelve college-age men admit having fulfilled the prevailing definition of rape or attempted rape, yet virtually none of these men identifies themselves as rapists and they think that it’s absolutely normal (Bleecker, 2005). Osland (2004) offered another hypothesis that the victim enjoyed the rape, and generally women would find enjoyment in a similar experience. This theory based on degrading images of women which also formed among members of fraternity (Kalof, 2004).

The second cause is the use of alcohol as a weapon against women's sexual reluctance. Here it is appropriate to start with a well-known fact that the alcohol consumption effects on sexual behavior and aggression. The standard treatment of the problem is represented by Kalof. She explored that during social interactions, alcohol consumption also encourages biased appraisal of a partner’s sexual motives, impairs communication about sexual intentions, and enhances misperception of sexual intent, effects which are exacerbated by peer influence about how to act when drinking (Kalof, 2004). According to Bleecker the peer norms on American college campuses are to drink heavily, to act in an uninhibited manner and to engage in casual sex. It was indicated that: “more than 50 incidents of gang rape had occurred on US campuses and most of them occurred at fraternity parties”(2005). Following Kalof there is also the fact that under the influence of alcohol and drugs sorority women had been raped without a consensual intercourse (Kalof, 2004). The theorists assumed that members of those sisters can protect themselves. As they live in a social world and share milieu with fraternities men and also know all social norms, learn how to behave they should always remember one fact that: “getting drunk is taken by the men as a signal of availability” (Kalof, 2004). In Kalof’s study the use of alcohol is one of the principal points of fraternity/sorority life and considered by fraternity men as “a weapon against sexual reluctance” (2004). The increase of assaults on college campuses can be attributed to the social expectation that students participate in alcohol consumption (Bleecker, 2005).

The last reason is the propaganda of the ideas of violence and dominance over women among fraternity members. With reference to Bleecker (2005) some theorists guessed that men come to college with certain formed worldview and particular attitudes toward rape and sexual aggression. Apart from this there are other opinions that all this groups of interests such as fraternities, athletic teams, gangs, and the military make a major impact on forming attitudes and behaviors associated with sexual aggression and rape (Bleecker, 2005). Fraternity men enlist recruit with hyper masculine values to be their “brothers” and promise to support them through the whole period of their attending fraternity club. Occasionally the sexist cultural artifacts, such as life-size inflatable dolls or ice cubes in the shape of nude women are accepted and famous among men. Through using such things the belief that women are born to be men’s sex object becomes stronger (Bleecker, 2005). In her study Bleecker claim that fraternity men tend to watch pornography together. She reasons that presence of sexual aggression in pornography videos enhances men’s acceptance violent behavior. The Bleecker’s theory proves that fraternity-members describe women’s bodies using more rude sexual language than non-members. Feminist are sure that pornography reduces the dignity of woman as unique human’s creation. In such videos women are depicted as rightful victims of sexual aggression (Bleecker, 2005).

In recent years, the role of fraternities and sororities on college campuses has come under increasing scrutiny. From the research findings it can be concluded that males are the main perpetrators of rape. The young fraternity members who create their sense of belonging through homophobia and expressing their masculinity through sexual intercourse contribute to rape prone environments. For my opinion some steps to reduce the amount of rape on their campuses should exist at universities. They should celebrate Rape Awareness week which is devoted to educating the students about the rape epidemic. There are also other educational opportunities, with experts on the subject speaking at mandatory dorm meetings where students get reading material about safety and information about people who work at the women’s center so that if something happens, a victim would know who to call and what to do. Other options to promote a safe campus environment are to sell pepper-spray at discounted prices and offer self-defense workshops. To truly change the cycle of violence, perpetrators need to be educated on how to understand when sex is inappropriate.

References:

1. Bleecker, E.T., (2005) Fraternity membership, the display of degrading sexual images of women, and rape myth acceptance, Sex Roles: A Journal of Research;
2. Kalof , L., (2004) Rape-supportive attitudes and sexual victimization experiences of sorority and non-sorority women, Sex Roles: A Journal of Research;
3. Osland, J.A., (2004) Likelihood to rape in college males, Sex Roles: A Journal of Research.