Agree or disagree with this Susan Brownmiller quote? Why?

Question

"That some men rape provides a sufficient threat to keep all women in a constant state of intimidation...[of all men]"

Answer 1

That is sexist and does nothing but enforce the belief in our society that men are bad. I could say something also like, 'That some women murder their children is sufficient enough to keep all children in a constant state of threat.'
I wonder if Susan would agree with that?

Answer 2

I agree to an extent, but I would change it so it isn't such a generalization: That some men rape provides sufficient threat to keep some men and women in a state of wariness, of men.

Think about all the "jokes" about what could/does happen to men in prison...I would say quite a few men would worry about going to prison because of the fear of rape, just like women and men who've been molested or raped as adults would be wary of the gender that had abused them.

For the rest of adults, how can you not worry, when in a deserted area, or when you're suddenly isolated with someone you don't know well, but who is a great deal larger than you, and is acting in an odd manner?

Answer 3

No, I think that's an overgeneralization.

I know that some men do rape but I'm not in a constant or even sporadic state of intimidation of them. I get along with men. I've loved certain individuals of their gender. I have a healthy sex drive...

None of this would fit with being constantly intimidated. And I can't be the only woman who feels this way.

Answer 4

I certainly don't agree with the "All men are potential rapists and should be treated as such" type of attitude.

However, I do believe that women [and men too, for that matter] should take precautions of strangers.. Especially at night or in deserted places, and especially for people who can easily overpower her. No, not all men are rapists.. But we don't know which ones are, so we should be careful of strangers.

You should be able to be aware of strangers and love men at the same time. We live in a dangerous world with dangerous people.. And the worst part is that we don't know WHO those dangerous people are.

Answer 5

...........I'm agreeing with Paul, but also would like to say that
i think 'statistics' can provide a sufficient threat for many depending on where they live,
in safer areas, it provides sufficient 'caution'.

i live in one of the safest areas of the country,
but i am always on the 'lookout' so to speak,
for any threat to my safety.
why?

because national statistics tell me that i should be.
but these same statistics do not keep me in a constant fear {of all men}. just a bit of fear in general.

you know, i have often said things and then thought, "now, that's not what i meant......", ............have you?
perhaps this is one of those cases.
Susan Brownmiller is not a nut after all,
there is logic to be found,
you just have to sift through the dumpster a little. ;)

Answer 6

"That some blacks commit assault provides a sufficient threat to keep all whites in a constant state of intimidation...[of all blacks]"

"That some whites burn crosses provides a sufficient threat to keep all blacks in a constant state of intimidation...[of all whites]"


Nope, it doesn't work there either.

EDIT

Of course burning crosses instilled fear. That does not mean the same thing as all blacks being in a constant state of intimidation of all whites. A black person who has personal experience of such an attack may feel sporadically intimidated by many whites, but "all blacks... constant... all whites".... no way.

And the fact that those who burned crosses were anonymous, so could be anyone, and were not condemned by the authorities but were even PRAISED by them and held up as HEROES. That's more than just "some whites burning crosses".

Answer 7

Ridiculous in my opinion. When considering a rapist, I don't see him as a man, I see him as a rapist. And I would NEVER think to paint all men with the potential to rape. I can understand a rape victim (female) being somewhat intimidated by men, but a healthy female mind doesn't look to men and see potential rapists!

Answer 8

Disagree. Rape doesn't give intimidation. That goes straight to hate. Do not respect people I hate. Usually stay away from them. There for there is only a negative effect.

Answer 9

I think that it has a lot of truth because women have always had to fear rape and that has always limited us and helped men dominate in society.

Women have always suffered from rape and the consequenses of being raped more than men have. Most often the woman was blamed and treated badly after by the society she lived in.

And rape isn't and wasn't just by some sick and evil stranger. It is and was most often by someone who the woman knows.

And what about rape in war? That has been accepted in most of history and sometimes is deliberately used as a way of terrorism!

Edit I totally agree with the violinist. Most men are not rapists but we need to be careful because we know that Some are and we don't want to find out who is by being raped by them.
Much better Safe than Sorry!

But that just shows my point and that quote of Brownmiller.

Answer 10

The key word that throws this into the garbage bin of logic is "all"... not all women are intimidated - some of them fight back if attacked - my sweetie was one of those women. I disagree strongly. Its just as absurd as saying "that some women are hearbreakers is enough to intimidate all men" - the "logic" isn't logical at all.