Sexual assault allegations seem to be a badge of honor in Trump’s America. Was #MeToo an epic failure?
Sexual assault allegations seem to be a badge of honor in Trump’s America. Was #MeToo an epic failure?
It's not a failure. It's just another sign that the opposition to human rights is fiercer than expected and greater effort is required. We couldn't expect that horrible people would magically respond with self-awareness and shame when their culture of abuse and exploitation was highlighted and led to consequences for some. It just means social pressure is only one factor of how to address systemic cultural issues.
Can you explain a bit more what you mean in the last sentence?
The #MeToo movement is a largely social movement. Most of the consequences for exposed abusers was social, which led to public shaming and loss of job opportunities. There were legal consequences for some, though victims advocates would like to have seen much more. The few legal influences that came from the movement were laudable. Some states banned nondisclosure agreements and arbitration clauses relating to sexual harassment and now there's the Speak Out Act at the federal level.
But by and large, the social consequences that were the primary result weren't powerful enough to change the longstanding cultural issues such as toxic masculinity, incel subculture, patriarchal traditionalism, male chauvinism, etc. which contribute to the issues that the movement sought to name and shame. Social consequences can lead to diminishing returns if those who oppose change double down and re-entrench in the problematic cultures. They turn accusations into merit badges and proof that they haven't bought into "woke" (or whatever toxic buzzword will come to replace it when woke isn't a powerful boogeyman word anymore) culture.
Greater legal support for victims and greater legal consequences for perpetrators would be preferable, but the current legislative climate would make that difficult to progress except in some states.
I would say intensive, ongoing therapy and training in healthy ways to deal with conflict should be added.
Definitely. Unfortunately, some of the people who would benefit the most are the least inclined to accept or seek out such therapy. I don't like to be cynical but I'd guess we need a few generations to pass for it to become more common and less stigmatized.
It could be legally ordered with clear, consistent milestones being part of the judgement, and probation/parole dependent on consistently demonstrating skills usage. After-care after reintegration or release from probation too.
This is in a lighter direction to your comments with which I agree. My wife wanted to start a dating app called “Broken Bros” that required the male to go through therapy on the app - before accessing the date swipe left swipe right stuff - And be cleared by the therapist. And having ongoing check ins if things aren’t going well (or based on feedback anonymously provided over x amount of dates)
The rest being “bumble” like. Feel like it would be an interesting take in a capital driving country like we are in.