LAC+Spring+2015-+What+Propels+Men+Towards+the+Culture+of+Rape?



Sadashaya Maitlall Professor Yajnik Language and Culture 1000C 19 April 2015 Rape in India

 In recent years, India became known as the “rape capital” of the world in light of the brutal, immoral rapes of women. Nations implored India to take care of the issue, encouraging them to uproot it from their culture, implement stricter laws and provide moral education.

 In India, where patriarchal culture and gender inequality are customary, men assume dominant roles in society. They are able to take up the occupations they wish, but women are discouraged from doing so, as they are forced to be housewives. Sons are the preferred child, receiving education and good meals; whereas girls are subject to infanticide, consume the left-over scraps, and are confined in their home (Fernandes). Girls are regularly warned not to bring shame, and some are murdered by their parents if they do (Hundal). Here, it is evident that females are the lesser beings, which fuels patriarchy, and, in turn, the abuse and subjugation of women. The Dharmasastra, a text that has influenced Hindu law, reads: “Men must make their women dependent, and keep under their own. Her father… in childhood, her husband… in youth, and her sons… in old age. A woman is not fit for independence” (Manu). This particular text supports male dominance, and this mindset leads to the abuse of women, as women are viewed as inferior.

 Hinduism, a religion that has molded Indian culture for the past few millenniums, influences rape to a certain extent. Hindu men mirror the actions of their gods, who are glorified in spite of scriptures that document their rape and abuse of women. In the Ramayana, the god Varuna rapes Rambha, who is then disowned by her partner, as though the rape was her fault; and Vishnu, Krishna, Shiva, and Brahma have all sexually assaulted women. The Padma Purana reads: “the gods lusted for Gautama's wife and raped her”, who escaped punishment by smearing ashes upon their body. If the gods get their desires fulfilled, no matter how immoral, and are not punished for their misdeeds, why are their followers expected to do any less? In the Brhadārankyaka Upanishad, it reads: “Approach that splendid woman and invite her to have sex. Should she refuse to consent, he should bribe her. If she still refuses, he should beat her with a stick or with his fists and overpower her, saying: ‘I take away the splendor from you with my virility and splendor,” (Olivelle). Here, it is apparent that women are obligated to please men, and if they refuse, they will be subject to abuse. Also, Hindu men receive clear instruction to mistreat women, thus depicting that rape is acceptable.

 Rape is prevalent in India because girls are persuaded not to report it. With this lack of outcry and acknowledgment of such abuse, rape continues to prevail and is reckoned tolerable. Countless girls tell their parents of the abuse that they suffered, only to be ignored because the topic of sex is taboo; the girl didn’t honor her traditional role, as in staying at home, wearing long skirts, etc.; or it is presumed that such abuse is normal (Lakshmi, Khazan). This was illuminated when a rapist of the 2012 Dehli gang rape said that the victim shouldn’t have been out at night with a male and shouldn’t have fought her rapists; and his lawyer said that he would burn his daughter alive if he found her doing such “disgraceful” things (Sharma). Thus, there is a strong mentality that women should get punished if they stray from traditional roles. Furthermore, there have been many incidences where rape victims are disowned by their family because of “dishonor”, or are forced to marry their rapists; thus, dissuading victims from reporting rape (Burke).

 As for solutions to this devastating problem, India should educate their youth, at home and in school. It is at home where people are molded and develop their morals; if parents teach their children that all people should be respected and are equal, the children will grow up abiding by those principles. Husbands should be an example and treat their wives with respect, while condemning domestic violence. Children should be taught of the immorality of rape. Sons should not be held as the “preferred” child; gender equality must be instilled in the minds of the youth, especially boys, so they understand that they cannot mistreat girls, the “inferior gender”. In terms of educating children in school, teachers should communicate to their students that all forms of abuse are immoral, no one should be subject to abuse, and that crimes are punished. With children internalizing this knowledge, many boys will refrain from abusing girls; and many girls will stand up against the abuse that they are, or will be, subject to. Schools should also hire counselors that girls can go to in order to report abuse and receive healing. Girls should also be encouraged to further their education to establish independence.

 Additionally, it is necessary that the legal system and the police force be overhauled. Police should forgo being the perpetrators, as they have been many situations, and enforce the law with urgency rather than turn a blind eye to the abuse. Police need to be diligent in following rape cases and gathering evidence, rather than advising victim’s to drop cases. Stricter laws have to be implemented, as numerous amounts of rapists walk away with a slap on the wrist. There is a need for faster justice because many women wait years until their case is heard in court, which allows many rapists to continue to rape other women in the process. Activists have rallied for an inclusive explanation of sexual violence and significant amendments to the Code of Criminal procedure, which state that marital rape is legal. This would create fear, thus preventing men from committing the crime (Sarkar).

 Overall, to defeat rape, which is rooted in India’s culture, India must take a stance against rapists with stricter laws, amendments, and stern authorities; moral education, beginning at home and supported by schools; and recognize gender equality.

Works Cited Burke, Jason. "Delhi Rape: How India's Other Half Lives." //The Guardian//, 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. < http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/10/delhi-gang-rape-india-women>. Fernandes, Ivan. "Why Is Rape so Prevalent in India?" //Aleteia: Seekers of the Truth//, 25 Sept. 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aleteia.org%2Fen%2Fop-ed%2Farticle%2Fwhy-is-rape-so-prevalent-in-india-5843195632025600>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Hundal, Sunny. "India's Bitter Culture of Rape and Violence." //The Guardian//, 3 Jan. 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. < http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/03/india-rape-violence-culture>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lakshmi, Rama, and Khazan, Olga. "10 Reasons Why India Has a Sexual Violence Problem." //Washington Post//, 29 Dec. 2012. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2012/12/29/india-rape-victim-dies-sexual-violence-proble/>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Manu. //The Laws of Manu//. New York: Penguin Group, 1991. //Books.google.com//. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Olivelle, Patrick. //The Early Upanisads: Annotated Text and Translation//. New York: Oxford UP, 1998. //Books.google.com//. Google. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sarkar, Monica. "Why Is Marital Rape Still Legal in India? - CNN.com." //CNN//, 9 Mar. 2015. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/05/asia/marital-rape-india/>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sharma, Ashok. "//New Delhi Gang Rape Convict Blames Victim For Attack: 'She Shouldn't Have Fought Back'//" The Huffington Post, 3 Mar. 2015. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/03/new-delhi-gang-rapist-sh_n_6789512.html>. //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Padma Purana //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">.Exotic India Art. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. <http://www.exoticindiaart.com/book/details/padma-purana-ten-volumes-IDF395/>.