DV Awareness Month
Dear Editor: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. According to a 2020 Victimization Survey (UAA), two of three women in Alaska have experienced intimate partner violence in their lifetime. These disproportionately higher rates of domestic violence in our state make it clear that everyone knows someone who has been a victim of domestic violence.
However, they also make it clear that everyone knows someone who has perpetrated this violence. It is time to shift the narrative from asking about why someone is a victim of violence to why someone perpetrates it. Remember, there is no victimization without perpetration.
So why does someone perpetrate domestic violence? What puts someone at an increased risk for committing it? Well, one of the root causes for perpetration is the existence of rigid gender norms in regards to the masculinity that society perpetuates, forcing boys and men into something called the “man box.”
The “man box” is a set of societal beliefs that pressure men to be a certain way. Some beliefs include being strong mentally and physically, e.g., “boys don’t cry’’ or “boys should be tough.” Men are also being told they should be tall, athletic, successful, and powerful. Men tend to lose confidence in their authentic selves due to being told to conform to these restrictive expectations. As a result, boys and men who subscribe to these norms are more likely to commit domestic violence, have suicidal thoughts and depression, sexually harrass, and perpetrate other violent crimes (The Man Box: A Study on Being a Young Man in the US, UK, and Mexico, 2017).
That is the issue, but how can we work to free young boys and men from this “man box” so they can live their lives authentically and be at reduced risk for things like perpetrating domestic violence?
First, we can start by realizing that we are steeped in these harmful norms. They are everywhere and everyone, including women, can perpetuate them. Second, we need to realize when we perpetuate these harmful norms ourselves, so we can start to shift our thinking and our actions. Third, we need to support all boys and men so they can embrace their true selves and not feel obligated to conform to these harmful norms that have serious consequences for all.
Only then can we truly start to build up a generation of healthy boys and men who won’t feel the need to perpetrate violence.
To learn more about this issue, visit sitkayouthleadership.com/mold-your-masculinity.
Sitkans Against Family Violence
Prevention Team
SAIL Support
Dear Editor: We want to thank Thad Poulson of the Daily Sitka Sentinel for the ad placed in last Thursday and Friday’s papers. Mary and I are downsizing and had a ‘‘sale’’ Saturday and Sunday.
All the proceeds will go to Southeast Alaska Independent Living. Over $700 was raised for the ORCA Sitka program. I also want to thank those who placed very generous donations in the SAIL box.
Thank you, community, for you support of SAIL.
Bob and Mary Purvis,
SAIL board member
