A Different View (A Woman’s View)

                                                                                                            Matt O’Neal

One fact that is becoming more and more apparent in society is that women are progressing in every aspect of social status but yet Paglia believes women should grow in responsibility toward their vulnerability in a rape situation. However Paglia’s discussion about rape is putting all the blame upon women and not on the men who are carrying out this act. I believe that Paglia is right in her comments toward realizing reality and holding oneself accountable for their actions but her remarks toward women’s blame of being raped is somewhat abrasive toward women. Her aspect of feminism claims to be the fuel that will drive women to rise or even exceed the plateau of male competence. I believe through her view of what a women should be, the female population could become stronger and more responsible.

The goal of Paglia’s feminism is a goal that women can and are going to reach. Women have come so far in the last century and are progressing each day. For example, on June 4, 1919 women’s suffrage was approved, and now women are in congress and running for high political positions. Women’s income is continually growing as we progress into a more women dominant society. More women are going to college and getting better jobs. Women are starting to excel in almost everything they do. For instance, The Professional Golf Association is known for hosting the best players in the world. Men compete all year round in different climates and on different continents. This tour has never had a female competitor. This has never happened because in the game of golf the different association, such as the LPGA, the Champions tour, and the PGA are classified differently by age, gender, and of course length of the golf course. The longest and toughest courses are held for the men. The different associations choose different courses that properly fit the player’s skills and talent. For the women in the LPGA the courses are much shorter than that of the PGA due to the fact that the men can out distance the women in their shot taking. However, in 2003 Annika Sorrenstam became the first women to enter into a PGA tour event, the Bank of America Colonial. Annika received many different criticisms from reporters and some from the players in the field about her just trying to hog the media’s attention but these accusations only inspired her game. The courage and persistent hours of hard work that were put forth for Annika Sorrenstam to take on  this monumental challenge were attributes that Paglia describes in her idea of what a women should be. Annika undoubtedly showed the world after shooting a first round of a 1 over par 71 that she could not only compete with the best men in the world but beat a few as well. Paglia’s form of female toughness is definitely something Annika and is what all women should strive to posses.

Women in today’s society are wearing higher skirts and dressing more provocatively. They dress this way probably expecting less attention than they receive but they must realize that the enticing outfits may draw much notice from the male community. Sexual power is one of women’s best weapons. Receptionist, hostess, bartender, and waitress are only some of a few jobs in today’s world that are clearly being taken over by women and the major contributing factor to this is sex appeal. Yet Feminists are blind to this aspect and just insist on criticizing men for being sex driven, testosterone based Neanderthals. They say women are miss-treated in the work place and not given fair opportunities for jobs. This statement seems comical to me due to the fact that women are getting jobs that men are not simply because the job calls for a women’s physique. Women are starting to notice that sexual power can make a strong influence in the work place. I don’t know how some feminists are still calling men inconsiderate for looking at women when there are simply more job openings for women based on their appearance then there are for men. Feminist sometimes overlook that women use the idea that men are sex driven to their advantage in the work place. Some may even think that if they look sexier or more provocative then their income may be more generous from the male community.

She defines rape as a man feeling inferior to a woman and thus having to rape her in order to get what he wants emotionally and physically. She perceives rape as a risk factor that a woman receives from getting involved with a man. Rape is compared to the action of gambling or driving a car. Paglia describes rape to be similar to walking into a dark alley and coming out bruised and scared. I believe there are many different levels of rape. The level is assessed from how aggressive and how the act of rape is carried out. A woman may be raped forcefully or be raped while she is in a distorted state of mind. The man may have slipped a drug in her drink in which case it is called date rape. If a woman is passed out and is taken advantage of sexually then the man has raped her. In most forms of rape the male is the contributing factor that plays the major role in this law breaking sin. Paglia does not concentrate any of her emotion of the deserving blame toward the male but instead criticizes the female for not knowing the proper precaution that would have save her from the man. Even though the women must face the fact that she has been raped, she should not feel that it was her fault that it happened.

Paglia’s brand of feminism promotes the self aware and self controlled woman. A woman going to a party and knowing she will be drinking must acknowledge the risk of her being taken advantage of. Her type of feminism suggests that a woman should not act out of fear or terror of being raped but out of the realization that it might happen to them. Women must realize that men are usually physically stronger than them and depending on the situation; there is a likelihood that rape may happen to them. Women tend to be disgusted at this idea but it is their responsibility now, in this time of sexual liberation, it is her job to make herself physically fit, so that that she can fight off the man as best she can. She needs to be alert in her own mind to any potential danger and to give clear signals as to what her wishes are concerning men. If she does not want to be out of control of the situation, she should not get drunk and be in a private area with a man she does not know. The contemporary feminists view rape as a totally devastating psychological experience and believe that a pain-free world is achievable, but Paglia wants the women to accept the fact, but it might happen and that rape does not destroy you forever.

Women have grown in today’s world where they can compete and rise to defend themselves against men who oppress them. Women should not view themselves as weak and frail due from the man’s psychological hold on them originating to the past. Women have become stronger and more resourceful and are stopping the sympathy for each other and using men’s characteristics to help them succeed in everyday life. Paglia views the women as being at fault for letting her actions lead to rape. Although her words are harsh and abrasive, a woman who can stand up to rape and put it behind them is a woman who can accomplish great things.