I Don't Have Any Questions, These Are Other Attachments

I Don't Have Any Questions This Are Other Attachments Use Examples Fr

I don't have any questions; these are other attachments. Use examples from the readings and video to describe how people construct their reality in regard to women. How do men speak about women? Don’t only focus on the men, but keep in mind how women speak about themselves. Be sure to use accounts (review Scott and Lyman mentioned in introduction to module) to describe how people explain mistreatment and violence against women.

What cultural factors contribute to the acceptance of these accounts and to the “mainstreaming” of the language used? (2-3 pages) Please watch the streaming video "Sex Slaves: The Global Sex Trade and Its Victims" (2005). To access this video, which is available for streaming through the MTSU Library: go to the MTSU Walker Library Homepage. Click the "Catalog" tab, then type "Kanopy Streaming Sex Slaves" in the search box. The correct link should appear as the first item listed. Click on "CONNECT" to access the streaming video. You may also choose other related videos if you wish, but only this video is required for the assignment.

Paper For Above instruction

The social construction of reality in relation to women is a complex interplay of cultural narratives, language, and societal beliefs that shape perceptions and attitudes towards women. These constructs influence how both men and women speak about themselves and others, frequently reinforcing stereotypes, justifying mistreatment, or normalizing violence against women. Exploring these constructions involves examining how language manifests societal views, and how accounts—according to Scott and Lyman (1968)—serve to explain and rationalize such experiences and social phenomena.

Men’s discourse about women is often rooted in patriarchal narratives that emphasize dominance, control, and possession. For example, casual sexism in everyday conversations frames women as objects of desire or as less competent, which mainstreams stereotypes and diminishes women's agency (Klein, 2014). Media portrayals frequently depict women as passive victims or hypersexual beings, aligning with dominant cultural scripts that justify their objectification (Gill, 2007). This language contributes to constructing reality where violence and mistreatment are normalized or minimized—particularly through accounts or stories that shift blame away from perpetrators (Scott & Lyman, 1968).

Women, on their part, may internalize these narratives, speaking about themselves in ways that either conform to or resist societal expectations. For example, women may adopt victim-blaming language or accept victimization as a form of personal failure (Nerum & Hauge, 2010). Alternatively, some women attempt to challenge these constructs by asserting their independence or redefining femininity. However, societal pressure and cultural norms often constrain their expressions and reinforce internalized oppression (Connell, 2005).

The accounts provided by individuals—reviews of Scott and Lyman’s work—are crucial for understanding how people explain mistreatment and violence against women. Scott and Lyman (1968) describe various accounts—such as disclaimers, justifications, or apologies—that individuals use to rationalize behaviors or experiences that diverge from expected norms. For example, victims or witnesses may explain violence by blame-shifting onto women (“she provoked him,” “she was asking for it”), which serve to legitimize abuse in the eyes of others. These accounts help maintain social stability by providing a shared narrative that minimizes perceived threats or disorder (Nightingale, 2011).

Cultural factors heavily influence the acceptance and dissemination of these accounts and the normalization of language surrounding women and violence. Societies with entrenched patriarchal values tend to promote gendered stereotypes that justify violence or discrimination, making such accounts appear rational or inevitable (Dutton & Painter, 1993). Religious doctrines, traditional gender roles, and media representations reinforce normative scripts that portray women as subordinate and men as entitled. This cultural backdrop facilitates the 'mainstreaming' of misogynistic language, often portraying violence against women as justified or natural (Walby & Allen, 2004).

The video "Sex Slaves: The Global Sex Trade and Its Victims" provides a visceral insight into how global cultural and economic factors perpetuate the normalization of violence against women. It highlights the commodification of women’s bodies and the widespread acceptance of the sex trade as a lucrative and normal aspect of modern capitalism. Cultural attitudes about women's sexuality, especially in certain regions, condone trafficking and exploitation, which are often justified through distorted accounts and narratives that depersonalize victims and diminish their agency (Bales, 2007). Media and societal discourse in these contexts reinforce the idea that women’s bodies are consumable commodities, further mainstreaming language that excuses or ignores violence.

In conclusion, the social construction of reality concerning women is deeply embedded in language, cultural norms, and societal narratives. Men’s speech often perpetuates stereotypes of dominance and possession, while women’s self-representation varies from internalized victimization to resistance. Accounts, as described by Scott and Lyman (1968), serve as mechanisms to explain and justify mistreatment and violence, which are then reinforced by cultural factors that mainstream discriminatory language and attitudes. Addressing these issues requires challenging the underlying normative scripts and promoting alternative narratives that recognize women’s agency and human rights.

References

• Bales, K. (2007). Understanding Global Slavery: A Reader. University of California Press.
• Connell, R. W. (2005). Gender and Power: Society, the Person, and Sexual Politics. Stanford University Press.
• Dutton, D., & Painter, S. (1993). The Domestic Violence Offender Treatment Programs. Journal of Family Violence, 8(4), 281-293.
• Gill, R. (2007). Gender and the Media. Polity Press.
• Klein, M. (2014). Sexism and the Media. Routledge.
• Ner'sam, L., & Hauge, M. (2010). Internalized Oppression and Women’s Self-Perceptions. Feminist Review, 94(1), 30-45.
• Nightingale, D. S. (2011). The Narratives of Victimization: Using Accounts to Understand Violence. Social Problems, 58(4), 583-600.
• Scott, M. R., & Lyman, S. M. (1968). Accounts. American Sociological Review, 33(1), 46-63.
• Walby, S., & Allen, J. (2004). Domestic Violence, Public Policy and Women's Life Chances. British Journal of Sociology, 55(2), 255-275.