ANTHRO-What Were You Wearing-2

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What Were You Wearing: American Culture ANTH 2351:Cultural Anthropology

2 I. Introduction America is a melting pot of cultures, rooted in a history of immigration, conquest, and social transformation. From the symbols of liberty to the vibrant expression of art and culture, America’s identity is a complex blend of individuality, inclusion, and striving for the American dream. However, sexual assault is a deeply concerning issue that persists within American culture. To gain insight into the matter, I have conducted interviews and made first hand observations in order to gather substantial evidence on sexual assault cases. Research has demonstrated how societal customes, cultural values, and gender norms have played a significant role in shaping America’s culture of sexual assault. By exploring these elements, we aim to create a comprehensive understanding of what drives this pervasive issue in American culture. II. A Deeper Understanding Societal Causes and Factors of Sexual Assault Research indicates that sexual assault is primarily influenced by the cultural norms and values prevalent in American society.(CDC, n.d). We have identified several factors that contribute to the prevalence of sexual assault, including societal expectations, gender roles, and the normalization of violence against women. Gender Roles Traditional gender roles in American culture often create a power imbalance between men and women, leading to a society where sexual violence against women is more prevalent. Statistics show that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men will experience sexual violence at some point in their lives (Statistics on Sexual Violence, n.d.).

3 Dr. Patricia Rozee, a rape researcher at California State University, Long Beach, is co-editor of the award-winning textbook Lectures on the Psychology of Women. Dr. Rozee states that most rape victims are female, a small percentage of about 2% are male, but virtually all rapists are male. Victim characteristics do not seem to predict whether a woman will be raped or not. Factors such as how she dresses, whether or not she acts "provocatively," whether she is at home or on the street, sexually active or not, are not related to becoming a rape victim. It appears that the best predictor of whether or not one will be raped is gender—being female! (Rozee, n.d). Additionally, the expectations placed on women to be responsible for their safety and protection contribute to the normalization of sexual assault. Women are taught to be cautious and constantly aware of their surroundings to ward off potential predators. This mindset reinforces the idea that sexual assault is an unfortunate but inevitable part of being a woman in America. Power and Control At its core, American culture places great value on individualism, promoting the idea that personal goals and desires take precedence over communal responsibilities. While individualism can be empowering, it can also create a sense of arrogance and disregard for others. In the context of sexual assault, this power can easily manifest as a belief that one has the right to exert power and control over another person's body without their consent. This mindset is further fueled by objectifying women and viewing them as mere sexual objects rather than autonomous individuals with rights. III. Social Structures Sustaining Sexual Assault

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4 The power dynamics present within institutions can create environments where perpetrators face minimal consequences or are protected from accountability. Prosecution processes can be re-traumatizing for survivors, discouraging them from seeking justice. Analyzing the existing legal frameworks for addressing sexual assault reveals both progress made and areas where improvement is necessary. “While progress has been made after more than four decades of federal and state legislation and investments, especially in efforts to address sexual violence and intimate partner violence, our own rates of gender-based violence remain high.” (U.S. Department of State, 2022). The implementation of laws such as Title IX enforces protections against sex discrimination, including harassment within educational institutions. However, some shortcomings remain evident, predominantly concerning prevention strategies, survivor support systems, and prosecution processes. Mandatory comprehensive consent education programs would help shift cultural attitudes toward healthy relationships while bridging gaps between legislation and societal understandings. IV. Resistance Movements and Activism Despite the challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault in America, there are inspiring resistance movements working tirelessly to challenge prevailing norms surrounding consent while supporting survivors. Activism efforts aimed at raising awareness about this issue have gained significant momentum in recent years through grassroots organizations like the #MeToo movement, which provides spaces for survivors to share their stories without shame or fear of judgment. It is crucial to continue challenging cultural norms, reforming institutions, and

5 promoting prevention strategies for a future where sexual assault does not persist within the fabric of American society. Only by addressing these issues head-on can we ensure justice for survivors and foster a culture of consent, respect, and equality. V. Conclusion As we conclude the ethnographic work, one crucial question remains: Where do we go from here? The answer lies within reflection. By acknowledging the underlying causes of this issue, challenging cultural norms, dismantling power structures, and amplifying the voices of resistance, we lay the foundation for meaningful change. Sexual assault is a pervasive issue within American culture, affecting individuals and communities at all levels. Through ethnographic research, we have gained valuable insights into the lived experiences of survivors, witnesses, and perpetrators, revealing the complex and multifaceted nature of this issue. But our work cannot stop here. We must continue to strive towards creating a society that prioritizes and values the safety and well-being of all individuals – only then can we truly address this pressing issue.

6 Appendix A: Interview Introduction: Thank you for participating in this interview. The purpose of this conversation is to gather insights and perspectives on the cultural aspects surrounding sexual assault in America. Your experiences and opinions are valuable in contributing to a nuanced understanding of this complex issue. Please feel free to share your thoughts openly, and if there are any questions you are uncomfortable with, let me know, and we can skip them. Interviewee Information: 1. Can you provide some basic demographic information such as age, gender, and cultural background? This information will be kept confidential and used solely for contextualizing your responses. I’m a 57 year old white female. My dad died when I was 5 years old. I was the middle child of 7, we grew up at the end of a dead-end dirt road in Cleveland, TX. We went extended periods of time without electricity or running water. We didn’t have central air or heat (we used a wood burning cast iron stove for cooking and for heat). We didn’t have enough food to eat, toothbrushes or toothpaste, hot water, shampoo, or school supplies. We got our clothes and shoes secondhand from churches or other welfare type programs. Section I: Personal Experiences 1. Have you or someone close to you ever experienced sexual assault? (If comfortable sharing) - If yes, how do you feel the cultural context influenced the experience and subsequent responses? Yes…The drinking and drugging of the adults while the children did without getting our basic needs met, made me feel worthless. Being poor made the shame worse I think (I was already ashamed of being poor and of my appearance…clothes were always dirty and didn’t fit, hair was uncut, and dirty). Being out in the woods where no one was around made it easier for the perpetrator, who replaced my father, to abuse me. Section II: Cultural Attitudes and Norms 1. In your opinion, how do cultural norms and expectations contribute to the perpetuation of sexual assault in America? In my case, the sexual assault was repeated many times over the course of many years (5 or more years). I believe I was seen (all my mother’s children were seen) as possessions, and that he could do whatever he wanted to with us. I believe there is a high probability that his childhood was very similar to ours. 2. Have you observed instances where societal pressures or gender roles influenced how sexual assault cases were perceived or handled?

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7 When we came forth to press charges, which did not happen until he sexually assaulted his 8-yr-old biological daughter, because I was terrified when I was younger that if I spoke up the authorities wouldn’t arrest him and my life would be in danger. Section III: Reporting and Accountability 1. What are your thoughts on the challenges individuals face in reporting sexual assault? Just like I said... Fear is a huge challenge, especially when they are your caregivers 2. How do you perceive the cultural response towards holding perpetrators accountable for their actions? The cultural response seems to lean toward blaming the victim as the cause of the assault…using accusations such as what the victim wore or if they chose to drink or drug before the assault occurred as the reason for the assault. Section IV: Power Structures 1. In your view, how do power structures within different social institutions contribute to or combat sexual assault? In college settings, possibly depending on the family’s endowment, or if a person has exceptional athletic abilities, the university can attempt to downplay the enormity of the person’s assault and in some cases, pressure the victim not to pursue legal action, or even be dishonest to protect the perpetrator. 2. Can you share any observations or experiences related to privilege, inequality, and their impact on this issue? Like I said in the previous question Section V: Activism and Resistance 1. Are you aware of any local or national movements, organizations, or individuals actively working against sexual assault? Yes, the “Me Too” movement has given courage and a voice to many once silent victims 2. How do you perceive the effectiveness of these efforts in challenging cultural norms and promoting change? Awareness is grown enormously since it happened to me, which I believe started around 1975 Section VI: Suggestions for Change 1. From your perspective, what changes or initiatives do you believe could help address and prevent sexual assault in America? It’s very difficult when a child is the victim. CPS was notified many times but I was so afraid to tell them what was happening. I was afraid they wouldn’t believe me, or they wouldn’t be able to help. I think educating children about what assault is and who in their lives could be potential perpetrators, and maybe if there is a reason to believe a child is being assaulted, law enforcement should take drastic measures, such as surveillance, wire-tapping , etc., to

8 prove/disprove what is actually happening before legal action is taken, and when sexual assault is confirmed, punishment should be swift and severe, including drastic measures, such as making that person impotent. 2. How can cultural attitudes and norms be shifted to create a safer environment for all? Make the punishment fit the crime. Sexual assault of children should carry a huge punishment. Get proof of what occurred and who the perpetrators were. And let that person lose the ability to do what they did, whether that comes in the form of losing fingers or sexual organs. Conclusion: Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences. Your contribution is instrumental in creating a comprehensive understanding of sexual assault in the cultural context of America. If you have any additional thoughts or would like to provide further information, please feel free to do so.

9 Appendix B: Interview Introduction: Thank you for participating in this interview. The purpose of this conversation is to gather insights and perspectives on the cultural aspects surrounding sexual assault in America. Your experiences and opinions are valuable in contributing to a nuanced understanding of this complex issue. Please feel free to share your thoughts openly, and if there are any questions you are uncomfortable with, let me know, and we can skip them. Interviewee Information: 1. Can you provide some basic demographic information such as age, gender, and cultural background? This information will be kept confidential and used solely for contextualizing your responses. I’m a 62 year old white male. I grew up in Detroit and have lived in Texas for some time now. Section I: Personal Experiences 1. Have you or someone close to you ever experienced sexual assault? (If comfortable sharing) - If yes, how do you feel the cultural context influenced the experience and subsequent responses? Yes, Young people seem to start sexually at a much earlier age now. Even if it is a boyfriend when a girl/woman says no that means NO. I think that today it seems if a woman says no she is just playing hard to get. Section II: Cultural Attitudes and Norms 1. In your opinion, how do cultural norms and expectations contribute to the perpetuation of sexual assault in America? It seems to me through the years sexual assault has gotten more exposure and we hear about it a lot more now. Women are not hiding from it as they used to. But at the same time the mentality of the assaulting person has not changed. They think they can just get away with it like they used to. 2. Have you observed instances where societal pressures or gender roles influenced how sexual assault cases were perceived or handled? Yes. We see it all the time in the media. The person who is assaulted is made out to seem like they wanted it or they are a person who has sex with anyone anyways.

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10 Section III: Reporting and Accountability 1. What are your thoughts on the challenges individuals face in reporting sexual assault? It should be much easier than it is. The fear someone goes through just to report it and how they are run over by the system of “proof” is ridiculous. 2. How do you perceive the cultural response towards holding perpetrators accountable for their actions? I think that has come a long way but at the same time whenever a lawyer gets in the middle of it there is a good chance the perpetrator will get off or just a slap on the wrist. Section IV: Power Structures 1. In your view, how do power structures within different social institutions contribute to or combat sexual assault? Well the court system is the main issue. They allow lawyers to try and discredit an assault victim; this is true for all social cultures. 2. Can you share any observations or experiences related to privilege, inequality, and their impact on this issue? I do not have first hand knowledge or have been a witness to this. I have seen some of the aftermath of it as it pertains to people I know. It seems like men are still in charge in this country. It’s the good old boy mentality especially in the south where prejudice still seems to exist behind closed doors. Section V: Activism and Resistance 1. Are you aware of any local or national movements, organizations, or individuals actively working against sexual assault? I know there are national movements like Me Too where victims are coming out to speak against someone who is going to court. 2. How do you perceive the effectiveness of these efforts in challenging cultural norms and promoting change? I think this one group has done a lot…Just look at Bill Cosby or Epstein cases. Section VI: Suggestions for Change 1. From your perspective, what changes or initiatives do you believe could help address and prevent sexual assault in America? Better penalty for people who commit such crimes. In other countries they castrate a man for raping a woman. Seems harsh but it would only take a few and the animals who do this would think twice.

11 2. How can cultural attitudes and norms be shifted to create a safer environment for all? That cannot be done overnight. I think that after some of the high profile cases and the movement that are in place now more women will not be afraid to come forward. Also stronger sentences for the criminals. It should be much more harsh than the guy getting stopped for smoking a joint in his car and it seems it isn’t. Conclusion: Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences. Your contribution is instrumental in creating a comprehensive understanding of sexual assault in the cultural context of America. If you have any additional thoughts or would like to provide further information, please feel free to do so.

12 Notes CDC. (n.d). https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/riskprotectivefactors.html Krebs, C. P., Lindquist, C., Warner, T., Fisher, B., & Martin, S. (2007). The campus sexual assault (CSA) study: Final report. Retrieved from the National Criminal Justice Reference Service: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/221153.pdf “Survivor Stories | RAINN,” n.d. https://www.rainn.org/STORIES United States Department of State. “United States Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally 2022 - United States Department of State,” February 27, 2023. https://www.state.gov/reports/united-states-strategy-to-prevent-and-respond-to-gender-based-viol ence-globally-2022/. US Department of Education (ED). “Title IX and Sex Discrimination,” n.d. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/tix_dis.html.

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