Society Archives

Barbra Streisand: Politics & Philanthropy Are Her Twin Passions

What presidential candidates received support from Barbra Streisand? What charitable causes does she give toward? According to Barbra Streisand, politics and philanthropy are her twin passions. Despite her extraordinary career, Barbra Streisand—who’s now in her 80s—doesn’t discuss her work when talking about her legacy. Instead, she emphasizes her desire to leave a kinder and fairer world for future generations. Read more to learn about the causes that Streisand holds close to her heart.

Apples in America: Why Are We So Obsessed?

How did the apple become one of America’s favorite fruits? Who first brought apples to the United States? Where did the idea of “apple picking” originate from? There’s no fruit more quintessentially American than the apple. We snack on apples year-round, pick them at orchards each fall, and bake them into pies at Thanksgiving. However, their lack of genetic diversity may pose a problem in the near future. Keep reading for a brief history of apples in America and the problems they face.

What Is Victim Blaming: The 3 Stages of Shutting Down Victims

What is victim blaming? What are the three stages of silencing victims? Victim blaming is the act of holding a victim accountable for a crime or traumatic event done to them. Silencing the victim is one of the top methods of victim blaming, which means the perpetrator isn’t punished for their actions. Here are the three stages of blaming and silencing victims.

Female Sexual Assault Statistics in America: A Breakdown

Why are female sexual assault statistics high in America? Where is sexual assault and rape most likely to happen? As of 2014, Rebecca Solnit estimated that tens of millions of women are raped in America every year. Further, she notes that sexual assault and harassment tend to happen in workplace or educational settings where victims are sometimes held accountable for preventing these instances of violence. Learn more about why the statistics for female sexual assault are so high in America.

Why Do Men Commit More Crimes Than Women in the US?

Why do men commit more crimes? Why are women often the victims of these crimes? Society and the media often blame male violence in the US on factors such as the ease of acquiring firearms, economic difficulties and class struggles, and issues that affect the brain. However, Rebecca Solnit notes these factors affect men and women equally—yet men commit 90% of the nation’s murders. Keep reading to learn the origins of male-on-female violence in the US.

Abuse of Women Statistics: How Many Suffer From Mistreatment

What are the statistics on female abuse? How does the patriarchy contribute to these growing numbers? According to Rebecca Solnit, women have long been fighting for basic human rights. Despite great progress in recent decades, the numbers on the mistreatment of women are still too high. Let’s look at the abuse of women statistics to get a better understanding of why women are still fighting for equality.

Rebecca Solnit’s Men Explain Things to Me: Overview

What’s Rebecca Solnit’s Men Explain Things to Me about? How are women silenced by men in personal and professional situations? Many women have experienced “mansplaining”—when a man condescendingly explains something to a woman that she already knows well. In Men Explain Things to Me, historian, activist, and award-winning author Rebecca Solnit explains that this tendency is the result of men believing they have the right to control women. Read below for a brief overview of Men Explain Things to Me

The Language of Violence: How Words Are Used Against Women

How is language used to hurt women? How can women use language to spread awareness about abuse and sexual assault? A major aspect of the mistreatment and control of women is silencing them. According to Rebecca Solnit, silencing women is effective because language has a major impact on people’s beliefs and perceptions. Let’s explore the language of violence and the negative and positive effects it can have.

The Growing Threat of Online Violence Against Women

Why are women attacked in online communities? What levels of violence do these threats reach? Rebecca Solnit explains that language can be used destructively against women. This is well illustrated by the way sexism and misogyny manifest in online communities and on social media. Find out more about the phenomenon of online violence against women.

How Men and Society Silence Women’s Voices

Why are women being silenced in society? What prominent figures have silenced their victims in the past? The authoritarian belief that men have the right to control women is what motivates misogyny and the mistreatment of women. According to Rebecca Solnit, mistreatment and control include silencing women’s voices. Continue reading to learn the many ways men have used their privilege to shut women down.