Patricia Hill Collins Analysis

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Patricia Hill Collins outlines the existence of three different dimensions of gender oppression: institutional, symbolic, and individual. The institutional dimension consists of systemic relationship of domination structured through social institutions, such as government, the workplace or education institutions. In other words, this dimension explains “who has the power”. This is completely related to a patriarchal society. Patriarchy is the manifestation and institutionalism of male dominance. This means that men hold power in all institutions, while women are denied the access to this power. The symbolic dimension of oppression is based on widespread socially sanctioned ideologies used to justify relations of domination. It reflects inequality …show more content…

Several changes can be made in every dimension of oppression in order to try eliminate rape culture from our society. The easiest way to have a wider impact on extinguishing rape is at an institutional level. Some measures can be implemented at an institutional level. The first one, government has the power to make punishment for rape more drastic. For example, sentences with longer time in jail. Education institutions are also a strong place to start a rape-free culture. High schools and colleges should have required courses to educate both young men and women of how to be respectful in a sexual way. Also in the workplace, meetings about sexual respect should be held at least once a year. Eliminating rape in symbolic and individual dimensions is a little bit more complex. For the symbolic dimension, a change of society’s stereotypes would be required. We live in a society where a man, in order to be considered masculine, need to be seen as strong, powerful, leader and even aggressive. This is one of the main reasons why rape is still present nowadays. Man want to be powerful and strong, and when they can get that by being nice, they get into a frustration stage that makes them reach the worse ways in order to achieve those qualities. By telling men they need to be strong and powerful, we are creating a justification of every action in order to accomplish those attributes. Finally, in order to make some adjustments to try erase rape from our society in an individual dimension, it is extremely necessary to start since we are children. We need to raise our children with a completely understanding that respect in essential in human relationships and that rape is not an option. Also, as mentioned before, the individual dimension is focused on the way both institutional and symbolic dimensions affect our personal life, so I believe

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