The gender inequality topic is one I entirely relate to, and in reading chapter 8 and Basford et al. ’s (2014) paper, I could connect with most of the claims and findings. From the two sources, I found the problem of unreported cases most pressing. I find the section “Peer Pressure, Bullying and Harassment” apt in addressing the institutionalization of gender-based violence and discrimination to the extent that non-reporting becomes a norm.
Despite the proven adverse outcomes of gender-based harassment, boys and girls often keep quiet when such events occur, which torments the victims and further cement the stereotypes in school children (p.174). Boys tempted to report incidences are jeered at as being "so gay," which ultimately legitimizes the ills. The same element of non-reporting in the workplace is documented by Basford et al. (2014), who explain that victims are often afraid of stigma if they speak out. Some even blame themselves for being "too close" to the perpetrator. I can relate to Basford et al. 's (2014) observations that overt sexism in the form of micro-invalidations, micro-insults, and micro-assaults is often considered subtly in the workplace. The study estimates that up to 15% of incidences go unreported, regardless of the victim's emotional torment. More so, witnesses are less concerned, and in some cases, rationalize the abuse.
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More than once, I have come across situations where gender-based violence was committed without much onlookers’ apprehension. While alighting from a train, a woman inadvertently stepped on a gentleman’s foot and quickly apologized. However, the man roughly pushed her away to the ground and retorted, “would you women stop acting so stupidly,” and cursed. To my surprise, onlookers, including a couple of policewomen from a distance, just shook their heads. Instead of calling for justice, witnessed only consoled the victim and told her, “not to repeat that next time.” Subtle as it was, I felt the pain in the way people have trivialized gender-based violence.
References
Basford, T. E., Offermann, L. R., & Behrend, T. S. (2014). Do You See What I See? Perceptions of Gender Micro-Aggressions in The Workplace. Psychology of Women Quarterly , 38(3), 340-349.
