Female -unfriendly behavior is a breeding ground for femicide: it is a long bridge, but the two are strongly connected. Experts tell NU.nl how the solution starts with each other on wrong jokes. And more male role models, certainly online, are much needed.
At the Dolle Mina protest against femicide, a man held a cardboard sign above his head on Sunday with the text “” We could never have seen this coming ” – everyone, every 8 days’. It refers to a statistics about the importance of this protest: on average every eight days a woman is killed in the Netherlands because she is a woman.
The board raises an important question: what should I pay attention to? What can I do against femicide, even though I don’t see myself as the problem? According to experts, there is still a lot of ground to be gained “in the bottom layer of the pyramid”.
This pyramid shows the different stages of female -unfriendly behavior and violence. There are sexist jokes in the bottom layer. This is followed by, among other things, the trivialization of violence. In the ridge of the pyramid there is serious violence to even murder, or femicide.
The experts with whom Nu.nl spoke emphasize that of course not all men who jokes about women eventually switch to violence. But they can be part of a solution. Tessel ten Zlege, author of the book Femicide: “Men just take on a little earlier from other men. If I address them something, I am a piss.”
From joke to less serious
Barbara Godwaldt, initiator of the National Approach Plan Femicide, explains how men can climb in this pyramid. “It starts with jokes. Then you get insulting and derogatory comments. In the long run those comments will change how you look at someone.”
This bottom layer is a breeding ground for more woman -unfriendly behavior, the experts see. With that you grow a society in which this behavior is normalized. That is why men have to address each other more often on these kinds of comments, the experts think.
Godwaldt: “It becomes dangerous when someone feels the urge for violence and not the resistance to it in society.”
‘Hanging up and back hanging’
Male role models are important to address each other about something. The experts mention emancipator as an example. This organization is concerned with social ideas about men and masculinity. “They have the right concept: men who make it their mission to talk to other men about something,” says Ten Zlege.
The author notices that the message as a woman sometimes appears difficult to the target group. She sees that, for example, with the guest lessons she gives in schools. “When the boys hear that there is a feminist writer, they put on their hood and hang back.”
Marieke Liem, professor of safety and interventions, speaks of a searching generation of young men. “Many men are expected: they must both offer the listening ear as tough, strong and masculien.”
When emancipation comes up, a counter -reaction arises
Young men are looking for role models, but find online only the dominant, conservative example figures such as Andrew Tate. Liem sees that movement as a backlash effect : when emancipation comes up, there is also a counter -reaction.
Ten Zlege understands that resistance is a human reaction. “If you find certain sexual manners normal and suddenly they are labeled as toxic , I understand that men think: I am not a criminal?” The role model that does not bother to show a more sensitive side is often missing.
According to the experts, social media are therefore both a driver of the problem and part of the solution. Ten Zlege: “I have hope for more feminist makers. We have to see how it works out.”
Misogynistic Behavior is a Breeding Ground for femicide: It is a long bridge, but the two are strongly connected. Experts Tell Nu.nl How the Solution Starts with Calling Each Other Out On Wrong Jokes. And more male Role Models, Especial Online, Are Desperately Needed.
At the Dolle Mina Protest Against Femicide, a man hero a cardboard sign Above his head on Sunday with the text “” We could never have this coming ” – Everyone, Every 8 Days’. It refers to a statistic about the importance of this protest: on Average, Every Eight Days in the Netherlands a Woman Is Murdered Because She is a Woman.
The Sign Raises An Important Question: What Should I Pay Attention to? What can I do against femicide, even if i don’t see myself as the problem? Accordance to experts, there is Still Much Ground to be gained “in the Lowest Layer of the Pyramid of Violence”.
This pyramid shows the different internships of misogynistic behavior and violence. In the lowest layer are sexist jokes. This is followed by, Among Other Things, The Trivialization of Violence. At the top of the pyramid is Severe Violence, Even Murder, or Femicide.
The Experts Nu.nl Spoke to Emphasize That, of Course, Not All Men WHO MAKES ABOUT WOMEN ONOLLY resort to Violence. But they can be part of a solution. Tessel ten Zweege, Author of the Book Femicide: “Men are simply more likely to accept somewhere from other men. If I call them out on something, I’m a nagging woman.”
From Joke to Taking Less SeriOutly
Barbara Godwaldt, initiator of the National Action Plan Femicide, Explains how men can climb this pyramid. “It starts with jokes. Then you get offensive and denigrating remarks. These remarks change how you look at some in the long run.”
This Bottom Layer is a Breeding Ground for More Misogynistic Behavior, The Experts See. This creates a society in which this behavior is normalized. That is why men should call each other out on this child or remark more, the experts believe.
Godwaldt: “It becomes dangerous when some feels the urge to use violence and not the resistance to it in society.”
‘Hood on and Lean Back’
Male Role Models Are Important To Address Each Other On Something. As an Example, The Experts Mention Emancipator. This Organization Deals with Social Ideas About Men and Masculinity. “They have the right concept: men who make their mission to address other men on something,” Says ten Lied.
The Author Notices That The Message As A Woman is Sometimes Difficult to get Across to the Target Group. She sees that, for example, in the guest lessons she gives at schools. “When the boys hear that a feminist writer is coming, they put on their hoods and lean back.”
Marieke Liem, Professor of Safety and Interventions, Speaks of A Searching Generation of Young Men. “A lot is expected of people: they must both sacrifice a listening ear and be tough, strong and masculine.”
When Emancipation Arises, A Counter-Reaction Arises
Young Men Are Looking For Role Models, But Online They only Find the Dominant, Conservative Figures Such as Andrew Tate. Liem sees that movement as a backlash Effect : When Emancipation Arises, A Counter-reaction also Arises.
Ten Zlege Understands That Resistance is a Human Reaction. “If you think certain sexual practices are normal and sauddenly they are labeled as toxic, I understand that men think: I’m not a criminal, am I?” The Role Model That Does Not Shy Away from Showing A More Sensitive Side Is Still Largely Lacking.
Accordance to the experts, social media are Therefore Both a Driver of the Problem and Part of the Solution. Ten Zlege: “I do have hope for more feminist makers. We have to see how it turns out.”