Masculinity In Once Were Warriors

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The Miseducation of Masculinity Since the beginning of time, society shapes the way we view the male species. The words synonymous with the word “male” and male characteristics are macho, virile, masculine and strong. In contrast to the words synonymous to female, words such as soft, delicacy, excessive softness and feminine are used to describe female characteristics. The question posed when comparing these characteristics is why women, the bearers of children, are not defined as strong? The answer is simple. We have been miseducated on the meaning of male and masculinity. Due to this lapse in societal judgment, society itself, now have a predatory epidemic to be addressed. Women are being objectified and sexualized for male enjoyment. Women, …show more content…
In one scene, we see a happy couple laughing and singing amongst friends. In the next, we view a man who is violently assaulting his wife and then sexually assaulting her. Unfortunately, none of the witnesses came to the wife’s aid during the assault. In observation of the children’s response to the assault, they appeared to be familiar with this form of abuse in their home. The following day, Beth makes excuses for her husband. According to Southern Connecticut State University, “Many victims love their partners despite the abuse, blame themselves, or feel as if they have no support system or resources outside of the relationship and so they feel as if they can’t leave.”(*who at the University stated this?) In The Hunting Ground, rape victims had the identified their assailants, provided thorough details of the attached and still were blamed for his/her assaults. Southern Connecticut State University also reports, “One reason people blame the victim is to distance themselves from an unpleasant occurrence and thereby confirming their own invulnerability to the risk. By labeling or accusing the victim, others can see the victim as different from themselves.” The documentary reveals most rape allegations were swept under the rug or the accused received little to no disciplinary actions. People often fail to recognize a sexual assault has a detrimental effect on a person’s …show more content…
Her family believed Jake lacked class and the proper behavior to care of her. This insult by Beth’s family is taken as an attack to Jake’s male pride. The harm presented to his pride shows itself through domestic abuse upon his wife and children. Being consumed with his own demons and battles with his understanding of masculinity, Jake neglects his daughter’s behavioral changes. Then, Beth having the deal with the personal affects of her husband’s abuse leads her to neglect the needs of her children as well. It is only after Grace’s suicide that she realized the effects Jake’s actions were affecting her family. As a way to expressing his machismo, Jake doesn’t show emotions when his daughter had passed
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