Tonight I read a quote that has my mind spinning:
“Rape is a man’s problem but it has become a woman’s issue,” said one of my rape crisis counseling and advocacy trainers in Chicago, IL.
This quote was in turn quoted by a woman my age working with both survivors and perpetrators of sexual violence in the Congo, an area now globally famous for a horrific number of brutal rapes. The quote is certainly thought-provoking in context, and my mind jumped ahead to the familiar question: Are men more depraved than women? To be blunt, males are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of violent crimes: murder, sexual violence, human trafficking, torture. Why is this?
(If this were a TV show, there would be a break at this dramatic moment. Why is this? Are men more depraved then women? You're about to find out my commercial-free opinion, but I hope you consider the questions for yourself.)
Though I certainly believe both genders have equally value, it is obvious that they are differently gifted, and humans invariably pervert God's good gifts. Men have the gift of strength; women have the gift of relationship. Thus, men generally sin in abusing their strength, which is purposed to provide, protect, and pastor (lead). Women often sin through manipulating relationships instead of using beauty and vulnerability to foster connectedness. Men hurt people trying to prove their strength or by withholding it when needed. Women hurt people as they try gain attention and security through self-promotion and control.
When speaking of the depravity of the human heart, the Bible does not tell us, "By the way, men are especially wicked!" Instead, it says that all are guilty and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). As to whether or not one gender causes more damage than another, I really cannot say. If men have greater strength, it seems logical that they have a greater capacity to harm. Following this train of thought, it very well may be that if women were stronger--particularly physically--they would exhibit more violence. Case studies and historical research have shown that oppressed people tend to oppress others in turn when given the opportunity. Consider the Haitian slave uprising in the early 1800's that murdered European oppressors or the mother in a severe patriarchal culture who beats her daughter-in-law, the only person over whom she has control.
Although this is a topic I will continue to ponder, it seems that the politically correct message of "not better or worse--just different" is truly the answer. Our depravity is indeed horrifying, but thankfully, the genders' gifts complement each other. As I strive to connect people to justice causes, bringing beauty and vulnerability to the forefront, I continue to deeply respect men using their strength to fight for justice--men who are promoting the truth, rescuing the forgotten, and persevering against evil. These are our superheroes.
“Rape is a man’s problem but it has become a woman’s issue,” said one of my rape crisis counseling and advocacy trainers in Chicago, IL.
This quote was in turn quoted by a woman my age working with both survivors and perpetrators of sexual violence in the Congo, an area now globally famous for a horrific number of brutal rapes. The quote is certainly thought-provoking in context, and my mind jumped ahead to the familiar question: Are men more depraved than women? To be blunt, males are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of violent crimes: murder, sexual violence, human trafficking, torture. Why is this?
(If this were a TV show, there would be a break at this dramatic moment. Why is this? Are men more depraved then women? You're about to find out my commercial-free opinion, but I hope you consider the questions for yourself.)
Though I certainly believe both genders have equally value, it is obvious that they are differently gifted, and humans invariably pervert God's good gifts. Men have the gift of strength; women have the gift of relationship. Thus, men generally sin in abusing their strength, which is purposed to provide, protect, and pastor (lead). Women often sin through manipulating relationships instead of using beauty and vulnerability to foster connectedness. Men hurt people trying to prove their strength or by withholding it when needed. Women hurt people as they try gain attention and security through self-promotion and control.
When speaking of the depravity of the human heart, the Bible does not tell us, "By the way, men are especially wicked!" Instead, it says that all are guilty and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). As to whether or not one gender causes more damage than another, I really cannot say. If men have greater strength, it seems logical that they have a greater capacity to harm. Following this train of thought, it very well may be that if women were stronger--particularly physically--they would exhibit more violence. Case studies and historical research have shown that oppressed people tend to oppress others in turn when given the opportunity. Consider the Haitian slave uprising in the early 1800's that murdered European oppressors or the mother in a severe patriarchal culture who beats her daughter-in-law, the only person over whom she has control.
Although this is a topic I will continue to ponder, it seems that the politically correct message of "not better or worse--just different" is truly the answer. Our depravity is indeed horrifying, but thankfully, the genders' gifts complement each other. As I strive to connect people to justice causes, bringing beauty and vulnerability to the forefront, I continue to deeply respect men using their strength to fight for justice--men who are promoting the truth, rescuing the forgotten, and persevering against evil. These are our superheroes.
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