Ruth Rymer's Blog
August 10, 2018
College-age Rape Litigation
Colleges or universities are places of learning. They are places that guide students in achieving their goals. However, the increasing number of litigation cases show the dangers college students face from sexual assault.
Basically, sexual assault is any sexual contact or activity instigated without a person’s consent. It may be through force, in a form of a threat, or incapacitation. Rape is categorized under sexual assault. This is a form of assault that includes penetration of any sort without consent.
Staggering numbers show that 1 out of 5 women and 1 in 16 men are sexually assaulted during their time in college. Most cases of sexual assaults or rape involves both alcohol and drugs. Being drunk or high on drugs would render a person incapable of proper action, making them easy prey for assault. Universities and colleges are often flogged with frat parties and other house parties where alcohol and drugs are prevalent.
House parties are part of a student’s memorable college experience. It is where students get to have fun with friends and meet new ones. However, the dangers of sexual assault and rape hang over entire experience. According to Elizabeth Armstrong of Indiana University Bloomington, sexual assault arises from the conflicting expectations between men and women. Women attend house parties “expecting to kiss and make out, but the male students often expect sex.” The problem with this mentality is that rape and sexual assault are being normalized. With the use of alcohol and drugs, abusers can manipulate victims into having intercourse while under the influence of such substances. In the end, the victims are often unable to remember or can vaguely recall the assault while some blame themselves for being an easy target. Victims should never blame themselves for being assaulted, instead, these cases should be properly reported and put to justice.
A similar incident is described in my book, Perfect Clarity. Kathleen, a female college student was sexually assaulted after being incapacitated during a house party. The culprit turned out to be one of her colleagues. Fortunately, investigations were appropriately done and the litigation process was immediately served.
How does sexual assault litigation work?
Title IX of the federal law designates the responsibility to universities to create systems, procedures, and policies to handle rapes or other forms of sexual assaults in campus. When an alleged sexual assault has been reported, the school authorities are expected to take proper action and immediately address the situation.
If a student becomes a victim of sexual harassment or assault, an internal complaint should be immediately served. The school is obligated to take actions to prevent further harassment from incurring. If the perpetrator is a student from the same institution, the school should take proper measures to keep the accuser safe, such as changing the victim’s class schedule, prohibiting contact with the perpetrator, or even to the extent of expelling the perpetrator. Failure to acknowledge or investigate the complaints may lead to litigation charges against the school for not properly implementing this law.
There are some sexual assault victims who don’t think they should come forward because they are ashamed or afraid. However, campus sex crimes should be reported. Should victims decide to press charges, a police report is not required. The victim can directly file a complaint to the school or straight to the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). If the victim decides to push through with the complaint, the litigation process then starts.
Processing the lawsuit is divided into four phases. The first phase is the investigation and filing of the complaint. Eye witnesses and documents necessary to pursue the claim are gathered. Once every piece of evidence is in order, the complaint is then filed. The second phase is known as the “discovery.” The plaintiff and defendant send written questions to each opposing party and these questions are answered under oath. The next phase is the pre-trial stage, which determines the order to have the case dismissed or the issues narrowed and to establish strategies to be used at trial. The last phase of the process is the trial. Both parties present their case to the jury with live testimonies and exhibits. After hearing the evidences and the judge recites the laws, the jury renders a verdict. Motions to appeal from a verdict may be applied by both parties but the process generally takes between a year or two.
The increase in litigations of sexual assault on campuses in the United States is very alarming. There are studies conducted to learn the main source of the problem and institutions are on their way to formulating a system to prevent these incidents from happening. In the meantime, the litigation process is one of the options available for victims of sexual assault to hold their perpetrators accountable.
To give you a better idea about the personal struggles of such victims, then read about Kathleen’s story on how she managed the sexual assault litigation. You will also find other stories by women living in a misogynistic society in my book Perfect Clarity: A Novel About Our Male-Dominated Misogynist Society and Four Women Who Fought Back (1874 to the Present). For updates, you can connect with me through Twitter, and Goodreads.
References:
Serio, Tricia. “Colleges Must Confront Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Head On.” The Conversation. April 2, 2018. Accessed May 9, 2018. https://theconversation.com/colleges-must-confront-sexual-assault-and-sexual-harassment-head-on-93054.
“Sexual Assault on College Campuses.” Womenshealth.gov. Last updated April 2, 2018. Accessed May 10, 2018. https://www.womenshealth.gov/relationships-and-safety/sexual-assault-and-rape/college-sexual-assault.
“World Resources Institute: Sexual Assault Statistics 2017.” Where is Your Line? Accessed May 10, 2018. http://whereisyourline.org/sexual-assault-statistics-2017/.
“Title IX.” End Rape on Campus. Accessed May 10, 2018. http://endrapeoncampus.org/title-ix#top.
“How does the Litigation Process Work”.” HP.org Legal Resources. Accessed May 18, 2018. https://www.hg.org/article.asp?id=20845
Seelinger, Lani. “Why is Sexual Assault So Common in College? 9 Subtle Ways It Creeps into America’s Education System.” Bustle. October 27, 2017. Accessed May 21, 2018. https://www.bustle.com/p/why-is-sexual-assault-so-common-in-college-9-subtle-ways-it-creeps-into-americas-education-system-3010449.
“Sexual Assault is Common at College Parties.” IU News Room. Accessed May 21, 2018. http://newsinfo.iu.edu/web/page/normal/3938.html.
The post College-age Rape Litigation appeared first on Ruth Rymer.
August 3, 2018
Rape on Campus Is the Elephant in the Room
A campus is ideally a safe environment for learning and character development. Yet, of course, safety is compromised when crimes occur, let alone when these crimes become a culture. One of the most provocative is the rape culture, which is rampant in campuses.
On Campus Rape Cases
There are numerous cases and articles on rape victims. In 2014, Rolling Stone published “A Rape on Campus,” which illustrated how a female student of the University of Virginia was raped by fraternity members.
In 2017, a lawsuit was filed against Baylor University’s football players for committing 52 acts of rape for four years. Some cases, however, are focused on victim-blaming. In 2008, Beckett Brennan was raped by three basketball players and, although got justice, was questioned and blamed for her behavior.
In 2017, a group of feminists filed a Title IX lawsuit against the University of Mary Washington for not shutting down the messaging app named Yik Yak, which has gained fame for rape threats and necrophilia. These victim-blaming cases are some of the proofs that the existence of rape culture is being dismissed.
Deriving Anti-Rape Law
Preventing brutal rape from happening in the campus is a worthy endeavor for educational experts, lawmakers, and enforcers. Title IX states that “no person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Lauren McGaughy of Dallas Morning News reveals that “battling sexual assault on college campuses is now a top priority for both Republicans and Democrats in the House and the Senate.” She also said that “in 2015, Texas passed a law that for the first time required colleges and universities to draw up sexual assault prevention plans and educate students about them.” Senate Bill 576, authored by Sen. Joan Huffman, would require school employees and students to report “sexual harassment, sexual assault, family violence or stalking” promptly.
Some programs and organizations aim to educate women and girls to be familiar with men’s behavior. The Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act (EAAA) Sexual Assault Resistance education program expresses that “calling the program ‘sexual assault resistance’ makes it clear what and who are being resisted.”
Campus Rape Survivors
The documentary The Hunting Ground details that “one in five women in college will be sexually assaulted.” Many have been raped and survived. Some keep themselves in hiding. Some, like Raquel Fatuik, reveal themselves to raise awareness.
To have a closer look and to derive insights on the impact of rape in the psyche of the victim, check out my book Perfect Clarity, which is about four generations of women who were victims of rape. It highlights how empowering legal knowledge is, especially for women. It is a must-read for women that need emancipation from misogyny. Visit my website for more information and to purchase a copy of my book.
References
McGaughy, Lauren. 2017. “Aggressive campus anti-rape laws proposed for Texas colleges in wake of Baylor scandal.” Dallas Morning News. Accessed May 15, 2018.
The post Rape on Campus Is the Elephant in the Room appeared first on Ruth Rymer.
July 26, 2018
6 Ways for Women to Master the Art of Negotiation
Unlike in the past, numerous women and men have now spoken up and fought for gender equality, not just in the workplace but also in the community. However, while there are tens of thousands of women who are negotiating for what they need and what is right for them, there are still many women who are disinclined to go through the process of negotiation.
The importance of negotiation
Just like what Anna, Gloria, and Carin went through in Perfect Clarity, women—even on this day and age—are sometimes treated unfairly and like second-class citizens, with many men finding it easy to break their promises with women. These societal conditioning and expectations are the usual suspects why there are women who have no or little interest in negotiations.
Society pictures women who negotiate negatively and are difficult to deal with, while their male counterparts are viewed as powerful and confident. In fact, Harvard Business Review writes, “In repeated studies, the social cost of negotiating for higher pay has been found to be greater for women than it is for men.” This fact alone holds many women back from going through negotiations.
Tips for improving negotiation skills
This shouldn’t be so. In today’s world, the art of negotiation is more important than ever. There will always be a clash of ideas or interests, and strong negotiation skills are the difference between compromise and loss, in both the business world and in social life.
Here are some critical things to build upon to improve your prowess in the negotiating table:
Some people will try to intimidate others to be successful. Stepping into the negotiating table feeling unsure is a step toward defeat. Put on a brave face and be confident when presenting your ideas.
Be ready. Another way to feel confident during negotiations is to be prepared. Preparation will allow you to be ready, even when caught off guard. Formulating strategies before the negotiation starts will enable you to present your case confidently and clearly.
Be fair. The goal of any deal is to reach a beneficial comprise between two parties. Both sides have something good to offer, and each side has conditions that they can concede—with the right reasons. Be honest, fair, and open to gain the other side’s trust.
People skills. Always be calm and learn to read messages by how other people say it. Be a good listener, and present your case in a positive demeanor and good sense of humor to gain an upper hand during the talks.
Know when to concede. Always enter a negotiation prepared for all scenarios, one being where you can’t get everything you want. Don’t lower demands before the talks start; instead, start the talks and ask for a stronger or higher benefit on your end. However, always be ready to give in. Therefore, while winning would be great, it’s important to plan ahead, in case of concessions.
Always offer an alternative. Going into talks without preparing other options, alternatives, and plans will almost always end up in a breakdown of negotiations. Be willing to compromise and offer alternatives that will benefit both sides.
It is high time for women to feel empowered and confident. One way to do that is asking for what it is you deserve. Which is why mastering negotiating skills is very important.
Do you know one woman who is a master of the art of negotiation? Share their story below. Reach me through Twitter, and Goodreads and grab a copy of my book, Perfect Clarity, to learn about the women’s struggle for equality.
References
Medvec, Victoria. 2018. “Five Ways Women Can Negotiate More Effectively.” Kellogg Insight, March 1. Accessed May 8, 2018. https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/five-ways-women-can-negotiate-more-effectively.
Reynolds, Natalie. 2014. “Negotiation: Is It a Man’s Game?” The Guardian, April 29. Accessed May 8, 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/women-in-leadership/2014/apr/29/negotiation-a-mans-game.
Wong, Kristin. 2017. “Negotiating Is Trickier for Women. You Should Do It Anyway.” Life Hacker, April 4. Accessed May 8, 2018. https://twocents.lifehacker.com/negotiating-is-trickier-for-women-you-should-do-it-any-1793978437.
The post 6 Ways for Women to Master the Art of Negotiation appeared first on Ruth Rymer.
July 19, 2018
Are Women Finally Earning the Credit They Deserve in Their Profession?
“She couldn’t be a scientist because girls don’t have minds for science”—this is one of the many misconceptions about women aimed at the protagonist’s sister in the second part of my book, Perfect Clarity, which clearly suggests women do not have the capacity to work in cognitive-driven jobs as men do. This prejudice often hinders them from getting into a profession they want. More so, women will still have a hard time landing their dream jobs after they graduate out of college.
The story in my book revolves around the time when movements against gender inequality were still in its early stages, in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Women had limited privileges in finance, education, and in their profession. However, a lot has changed since then, and advancement on the cause has come a long way. Legislation after legislation have been passed that have allowed women to further burst in the workforce.
Today, progress has been made, and a study conducted by American Enterprise Institute scholar Mark Perry shows women earning more advanced degrees than men and now comprise about 50 percent of the total educated labor force. The problem in choosing a profession for women has diminished, compared to years before. But do they have this same progress when it comes to advancing their profession?
The statistics say they don’t. Women face obstacles early on in their careers. And it just gets harder as they move up the corporate ladder. They face subconscious biases from recruitment officers and managers, and this means women are less likely to be promoted to higher-level positions. These biases go unnoticed and make these prejudice hard to intervene. According to the Women in the Workplace study conducted by Leanin.org and McKinsey & Co., 130 men are promoted for every 100 women progressing to managerial positions. And currently, women only account for 18 percent of C-Suite employees.
So how could women level out the playing field in the corporate world? Would the choice of profession matter for them to land a job free of gender biases and prejudice? Perhaps getting into female-dominated jobs such as education and healthcare can be a good idea.
Actually, studies again show that it is not the case. Men will still ride the golden escalator and preferred for promotion over female managers even in female-dominated institutions. Even the wage gaps in these offices show little improvement since the 1970s.
Though the story is not all grim for women. There are several industries that were reported to have a positive effect on women, in terms of support provided by employers. Accountancy is one of these best professions for women, having 94 percent of female accountants reporting positive feedback about their employers in terms of support and ability to retain female talent.
To answer the question whether or not women are finally earning recognition in their profession, a resounding yes could still be far from reality. Many institutions and organizations strive to level the playing field for women in gender-biased corporations. But these biases are deeply planted in society’s beliefs and has been proven to be difficult to uproot. Therefore, it might take some time and effort to truly give women the equality they deserve in their professions.
If you want to learn more about prejudice against women beyond the professional world, pick up my book, Perfect Clarity. You can also leave your thoughts and insights about this topic below or connect with me on Twitter, and Goodreads.
References
HRreview. 2014. “36% of Women Claim To Have Experienced Gender Prejudice.” Diversity News, May 22. Accessed May 9, 2018. http://www.hrreview.co.uk/hr-news/diversity-news/36-of-women-claim-to-have-experienced-gender-prejudice/51720.
Barnett, R. and Rivers, C. 2016. “Commentary: 8 Big Problems for Women in the Workplace. Chicago Tribune, May 18. Accessed May 8, 2018. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-women-pay-gap-workplace-equality-perspec-0519-jm-20160518-story.html.
Dishman, Lydia. 2015. “The Other Wage Gap: Why Men in Female-Dominated Industries Still Earn More.” Fast Company, April 8. Accessed May 9. 2018. https://www.fastcompany.com/3044753/the-other-wage-gap-why-men-in-women-dominated-industries-still-earn-more.
Perry, Mark J. 2016. “Women Earned Majority of Doctoral Degrees in 2015 for 7th Straight Year and Outnumber Men in Grad School 135 to 100.” American Enterprise Institute, September 16. Accessed May 8, 2018. http://www.aei.org/publication/women-earned-majority-of-doctoral-degrees-in-2015-for-7th-straight-year-and-outnumber-men-in-grad-school-134-to-100/.
McKinsey & Company. 2015. “Women in the Workplace.” Accessed May 8, 2018. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/organization/our-insights/women-in-the-workplace.
The post Are Women Finally Earning the Credit They Deserve in Their Profession? appeared first on Ruth Rymer.
July 13, 2018
Breaking Negative Attitude
Society enforces countless restrictions on women, even on the most trivial tasks, like how to dress, how to socialize, or how to act in front of other people. A lot of women face criticism and harassment on a daily basis, and the negative attitude society directs at women seems to be endless.
The book Perfect Clarity shows how women suffer from being inferior to men in early times. But the book’s theme is woman empowerment, as seen by how the female protagonists handle difficult situations using their individual strengths.
Despite the changing times, there are effective ways to overcome negative attitude toward women. Making use of all these techniques will allow you to transform yourself for the better.
Find your confidence. When overcoming negative attitude, boosting your confidence is of utmost importance. Confidence can help you penetrate the negativity and leave unscathed.
Accept the negative positively. Maintaining a positive mind-set and establishing a safe space will help you build up confidence, lessen the stress, and eliminate bad vibes. It’s not your fault if people can’t accept you for who you are, so it’s best to fully accept yourself as someone who has both positive and negative traits.
Know your self-worth. As the saying goes, “We accept the love we think we deserve.” Ultimately, knowing one’s worth and not settling for anything less open a lot of great possibilities for your future.
Don’t limit yourself. Always be open to learning new things and be accepting of whatever changes happens. Don’t listen to anyone who try to put you down, and prove them wrong by doing your best.
Be yourself. Revealing yourself to the world is not a sin, so just be yourself. And don’t be afraid to receive negative criticism because it does not define who you truly are.
Critics who don’t have anything better to do with their lives will always be there. People will constantly judge other people, and they can have positive attitude and negative attitude on the choices you make for your life. What you can do is don’t mind the negative things because you know yourself better than others and you are perfectly imperfect, no matter what others say.
Got ideas on how to overcome negative attitudes toward women? I’d be glad to trade thoughts with you. Leave a comment below, or send me a message on my Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads accounts. Likewise, read my book Perfect Clarity for more inspiration about woman empowerment.
References
Schwecherl, Laura. 2015. “How to Handle Criticism like a Pro.” Greatist. Accessed February 23, 2018. https://greatist.com/happiness/how-handle-criticism-pro.
Lindsey, Daryl. 2015. “How to Handle Negative Criticism” Culture. The EveryGirl. Accessed February 23, 2018. http://theeverygirl.com/how-to-handle-negative-criticism.
The post Breaking Negative Attitude appeared first on Ruth Rymer.
July 5, 2018
A Dosage of Birth Control
Our world consists of a lot of living and non-living things, but the species with the largest population are the human beings.
There are 7.6 billion people in the whole world, and it’s still increasing as the days pass by. That’s why most of the countries implement birth control programs to manage slowly the increasing population.
In Perfect Clarity, it states a lot of birth control topics that is applicable for people at that time and how birth control affects the lives of the characters.
Birth control is a method to prevent pregnancy. It also has a vital role in the characters in the book because it educates the characters about sexuality and pregnancy.
It’s a stepping stone when it comes to wanting a child and to securing the child’s life. One concrete example is when both the husband and the wife want to have three children but with three-year gaps between them. To achieve this goal, birth control may play its part by using contraceptives like pills or condoms.
Getting pregnant is not easy, and it’s a big deal, especially for women because it takes a lot of responsibility that includes money, time, effort, and patience. That’s why most families who are unaware of birth control have the problem of producing a lot of children and an unhealthy life.
There are many benefits of birth control that make the person’s lives wonderful. First, most birth control methods are very convenient and accessible. One caveat is, you just have to maintain taking or using it. It can save you a lot of money because there are no more unplanned pregnancies.
Using contraceptives will help limit abortions and the growing populations throughout the world. It’s a safe alternative to abortion since, ideally, contraceptives prevent ovulation (pills) and hinder the male’s semen from coming into contact with his sexual partner (condoms), instead of terminating the fetus at a specific point. Lastly, contraceptives provide health benefits for men and especially women because they not only prevent pregnancies, but they also protect them from having certain types of cancers and sexually transmitted diseases.
The importance of birth control in families is that they can sustain enough needs and quality time to care for their children because they have planned how many children they could raise, and that leaves them prepared for the responsibility of being a parent.
Life is a lot better when everything is planned accordingly, and a tight relationship depends on how families are built and managed from the very beginning.
What are your thoughts about birth control? Leave a comment below or share it with me through Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads to start a conversation. Don’t forget to grab a copy of my book Perfect Clarity.
References
Jacoby, Christopher n.d. “The Importance of Birth Control.” HealthGuidance. Accessed February 21, 2018. http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/13384/1/The-Importance-of-Birth-Control.html.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America. 2018. “What Are the Benefits of the Birth Control Pill?” Accessed February 21, 2018. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-birth-control-pill.
The post A Dosage of Birth Control appeared first on Ruth Rymer.
June 28, 2018
The Roles of Anger and Denial in Domestic Violence
It’s no secret that domestic abuse is still a prevalent problem in modern society. According to the National Coalition against Domestic Violence (NCADV), an average of nearly 20 people per minute are abused by their partners in the United States. In a year, it amounts to more than 10 million victims.
Abuse cases usually happen in private settings, where no one can catch abusers in the act. If perpetrators were caught and questioned for engaging in such activity, they would employ manipulative acts, such as denial. Abusers would also likely shift the blame to victims or to other things in order to justify their actions.
It is common for perpetrators to deny their participation in domestic abuse. Denial is defined as a type of defense mechanism employed by people when confronted with personal problems they refuse to deal with or realities they refuse to accept. Because abusers cannot accept the lack of control they have over their partners, they usually resort to covering up their involvement in the abuse.
Denial on a perpetrator’s end allows them to suppress their fears and insecurities as they try to exert dominance over their partners. They will likely throw every excuse in the book, such as intoxication, drugs, feigned concern, mental health issues, and inner conflicts. As much as abusers want to try and explain their behavior, harming someone’s partner in life is never justifiable.
Denial issues aren’t just limited to abusers. Some victims, too, use the mechanism for various reasons—out of fear, shame, or avoidance of conflict. Luckily, there are credible professionals willing to assist abuse victims on the long path to recovery.
With the denial in every abuse also comes anger. Every perpetrator uses it to fuel the pain they inflict toward victims. If they try to use their anger to rationalize their abusive nature, remember that it does not cause it. Their actions are always (and will always be) a result of their choices.
Anger and denial are always present in every instance of domestic abuse. If you happen to know somebody experiencing abuse or experiencing it yourself, do not be afraid to seek help. Know that you are not alone and there will always be light at the end of every dark tunnel. Victims are not defined by abuse but by their strength and courage to fight against it.
Opinions and discussions on this topic are highly welcome. You may leave them on the comment box below or share them on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. Feel free to read my book Perfect Clarity if you want to learn further about the fight against misogyny.
References
Lancer, Darlene. 2017. “The Truth about Abusers, Abuse, and What to Do.” Psychology Today, June 6. Accessed February 22, 2018. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/....
Lancer, Darlene. 2014. “Are You in Denial?” Denial. Accessed February 22, 2018. https://www.whatiscodependency.com/de....
The National Domestic Violence Hotline. 2014. “Blame Shifting and Minimizing: There’s No Excuse for Abuse.” Last modified January 15. Accessed February 22, 2018. http://www.thehotline.org/2014/01/15/....
The post The Roles of Anger and Denial in Domestic Violence appeared first on Ruth Rymer.
June 22, 2018
Domestic Violence
Every minute, an average of 20 people experience abuse by their partners. In total, there are over 10 million victims of abuse each year. This does not include unreported cases of violence. This means that abuse is an epidemic that slowly creeps through the deposits of society, yet this issue is not given much attention by the responsible individuals and institutions.
Sadly, what haunts homes in America today has been causing more adverse effects to the members of the household than what meets the public eye. Those who have experienced domestic violence have suffered trauma and depression more than the physical injuries that need to be urgently addressed. Society should be aware of this troubling situation, and everyone should be well-guided to be able to fight against domestic violence.
The first step in the process to combat abuse is to know the causes of domestic violence so that we might know what we are fighting against. Domestic violence can be physical, emotional, or psychological abuse that negatively affects the well-being of a person. It can be experienced by anyone, regardless of age and gender, though it affects the women more than their male counterparts. How is this so?
Since time immemorial, women are more subject to men’s authority. As the breadwinner, decision-maker, and protector of his family, men were put to pedestals and women were regarded as objects of pleasure and of the home. This has been so, if not for most of the men who resort to domestic violence when they treat their wives as possessions rather than wives. Unfortunately, this kind of treatment exists today and has been causing nightmares to many American women.
Misogyny is defined as, “the hatred of or hostility toward women. Misogyny is a woman’s greatest fear.” There are many factors why men do this to women. They may have issues with their peers, especially in their relationships with their mothers. They can also have narrow definitions of what men and women can do, with the men having superior qualities over women.
Men also experience a lot of rejections from women they have dated before. This leads them to think badly of their opposite sex. Thus, they get hurt and hurt people hurt people. This is the sad truth of men and misogyny and millions of women experience it every day.
Contrary to what many people say on how women react to the abuse made by their partners, women are actually doing something to get out of this pitiful situation. More and more women are disclosing domestic violence, but they don’t get much useful help when they need it. Moreover, police don’t usually arrest offenders, and when they do, these offenders hardly ever spend their time in jail.
Why don’t women just leave their partners? Unfortunately, the reality is far more complex if they try to leave. They may be exposed to more dangerous situations that include separation violence, stalking, and higher risk on homicide in addition to custody battles that pose increased threat to the well-being of the mother and her children.
Domestic violence is a complicated and serious matter that needs to be recognized as a threat to the security of every American home. Women who are violated of their human rights can always seek help to the right people, be it professional counseling domestic violence victims or friends and family members whom they trust. The government is also playing the important role of drafting, passing, and strictly implementing the laws that punishes the abusers. This is not just the fight of the victim alone but of the nation.
Awareness is not enough. Once you’ve read this, I encourage you to take action. Unless someone gives a helping hand to catch the victims who are knocked down by domestic violence, there can never be peace in our country.
Find more insightful thoughts about domestic violence from my book, Perfect Clarity: A Novel About Our Male-Dominated Misogynist Society and Four Women Who Fought Back (1874 to the Present). Visit my website at www.ruthrymer.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.
References
Hamby, Sherry. 2014. “Domestic Violence: Learning to See Past the Stereotypes.” Psychology Today, May 19. Accessed on February 22, 2018. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-web-violence/201405/domestic-violence-learning-see-past-the-stereotypes.
Dries, Kate. 2013. “The 4 Reasons Misogynists Become Misogynists, According to Misogynists.” Jezebel, December 3. Accessed on February 22, 2018. https://jezebel.com/the-4-reasons-misogynists-become-misogynists-according-1475672690.
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. n.d. “National Statistics.” Accessed on February 22, 2018. https://ncadv.org/statistics.
The post Domestic Violence appeared first on Ruth Rymer.
June 8, 2018
Academic Opportunities: Take Advantage of Them
It is a common misconception that educational opportunities are limited. There are worldwide academic opportunities that are being provided to students who want to have a better life. The main goal of the universities and colleges in providing these opportunities is to educate people and to create skilled individuals who can help build better societies and can help nations prosper.
The competitiveness and progress of a nation strongly depend on how well they provide education. As many of us know, the most valuable resource is human talent and skill. Enhancing the skills will open up various areas of opportunities. They can improve their problem-solving capabilities and corporate leadership skills.
The purpose of learning is to extend the knowledge that you have acquired to others. If you are well-educated you can achieve various goals in your life that can lead to your success. Many people think that education is focused on getting immediate measurable outcomes such as awards, prestige, and money that people are forgetting the value of learning.
If there are any opportunities that will come your way, do your best to take advantage of it most especially if you are given the opportunity to study abroad. There are universities that provide academic exchange programs. This will help both men and women to explore new horizons and learn new things which can help them with their future endeavors in life.
There are also colleges and universities that offer scholarship programs for hardworking and determined students. The universities will also help you with your internship with the company that you wish to work for. These are some of the opportunities that can help you grow as a person.
What do you think about this topic? Just share your opinions in the comment section below. You can also talk to me on Twitter and Goodreads for any insights that you want to share. Also, grab a copy of my book, Perfect Clarity.
References
Baek, Justine. 2016. “Five tips to make the most of your university experience.” Times Higher Education, February 19. Accessed January 26, 2018. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/student-blog-five-tips-make-most-your-university-experience.
Davis, Shakira, Catherine Amelink, Joan B. Hirt, and Yasuo Miyazaki. 2012. “Women’s Educational Opportunities: Factors that Influence Their Graduate School Aspirations.” Taylor & Francis Online, September 30. Accessed January 26, 2018. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1515/njawhe-2012-1111.
The post Academic Opportunities: Take Advantage of Them appeared first on Ruth Rymer.
May 31, 2018
Women Discrimination Could Be the Reason for Lack of Jobs for Women in the Workforce
While women are doing exceptionally well in studies, the workplace portrays an opposite picture. From big corporate houses to small organizations, women discrimination in the workforce is much alive and well in today’s world, despite various laws that prohibit it. In a workplace, women are often subjected to discrimination. This discrimination can arise in the form of withholding promotions, sexual harassment, preventing women from advanced training opportunities, and giving a lower job title, among others. Here’re the key reasons that hold back women back in the workforce.
Unable to land the job
Perhaps the first impact of discrimination for women in the workforce is appearance when it comes to job opportunities. In many instances, a woman could become victim of discrimination because of her physical appearance. An attractive woman could easily get preference over others just because the employer believes she could bring in more sales. On the contrary, the same woman might not get hired because the employer thinks that a sexual harassment law suit would take place if there exists a significantly more number of males in the organization.
Unequal wages
A woman who has the same level of seniority, equal responsibilities, and the same job title as a man could be paid less. This is another reason that holds women in the workforce back. Key reason employers usually give is the social perception regarding women being the “weaker sex,” incapable of performing well in a corporate or business work environment. Another reason often considered by the employers is that a man has a lot more responsibilities and, hence, needs more money than his female colleague to care for the family.
May be seen as incompetent
Discrimination plays a crucial role in defining the role of women in the workforce. Often, women work hard and attain the desired results, while the men receive all the credits for it. Women employees are typically rated as being less competent, less likely to play a leadership role, and less influential when it comes to participating in decision-making.
May be seen as unlikeable
Competent and successful women are often considered as unlikeable by both the genders. Men who’re competent are considered as forceful, likely to succeed, and worthy of promotion. On the contrary, competent women are often seen as unfeminine, untrustworthy, conniving, and aggressive.
In most cases, it isn’t a fact of conscious discrimination against women. Instead, it’s simply those skewed ideas most people have in their heads about the limitations of men and women and what they can and can’t do.
Did you ever become a victim of discrimination? Let me know in the comments section below. You can also connect with me on Twitter and Goodreads to keep the conversation going. Also, grab a copy of my book, Perfect Clarity.
References
Rivers, Caryl, and Barnett C. Rosalind. 2016. “8 big problems for women in the workplace.” Chicago Tribune, May 18. Accessed January 28, 2018. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/commentary/ct-women-pay-gap-workplace-equality-perspec-0519-jm-20160518-story.html.
Finn, Lisa. 2017. “Female Discrimination in the Workplace.” Career Trend, July 5. Accessed January 28, 2018. https://careertrend.com/female-discrimination-workplace-2736.html.
The post Women Discrimination Could Be the Reason for Lack of Jobs for Women in the Workforce appeared first on Ruth Rymer.
