Sexual abuse of boys continues because of patriarchy, says expert
The Hindu
Chennai lecture highlights the ongoing sexual abuse of boys due to patriarchal norms and societal stigma.
Sexual abuse of boys continues to happen because of patriarchy, said Alankaar Sharma in Chennai on Wednesday at the annual lecture of Tulir Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse.
Mr. Alankaar senior lecturer, school of health and society, University of Wollongong, Australia, was speaking on ‘Boys, child sexual abuse and masculinities: Connecting the dots’.
“The maintenance of the archetype of the ‘real man’ within the patriarchal mould is predicated on subjugation of all experiences and expressions that do not fit the narrow and restricted box of idealised masculinity,” he said.
Stating that child sexual abuse is a patriarchal wound, Mr. Alankaar said that men do not see their lives as gendered and hence, don’t notice how gender order affects them. “Popular construction in patriarchal society allows little space for men to be acknowledged as experiencing sexual violence. As they are socially perceived as initiators of sexual contact and not as lacking it. A major reason for them to worry about seeking help is the homophobic stigma in society,” he added.
He stressed that the narrow and rigid expectations of the patriarchal construction of masculinity has created oppressive circumstances for boys and men survivors.
Talking about research on child sexual abuse in India, he said that there is a lot of material available on the prevalence of it and in India, particularly it is dominated by bio-medical research.
TMC calls for the removal of Bhabanipur returning officer, citing alleged ties to BJP and concerns over neutrality.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan condemns UDF's misogynistic attacks on CPI(M) legislator U. Prathibha, highlighting political degeneration.
Selected from 9,400 submissions across 37 countries, the 100 photographs on display traverse intimate and political terrains. In MRC Nagar, photographer Swastik Pal captures life in the Sundarbans, where severe climate change has brought humans and wildlife into closer contact. Shane Hynan’s Beneath Beofhod reflects on Ireland’s boglands as sites of memory and restoration, while Mateo Trevisan’s More than the Sun examines the impact of coal-driven industrialisation in the Western Balkans.
Hyderabad officials assure sufficient fuel supply for 60 days, warn against misinformation and illegal sales amid panic buying.
Telangana MP urges Centre to expedite ₹1,270 crore dues transfer from Andhra Pradesh for financial fairness and development.
A Karnataka man was detained with ₹62.5 lakh in cash during election checks on NH 544, claiming it was from a property sale.
Telangana Government issued 16 notifications to fill 31,798 vacancies, with 67,763 total recruitments since Congress took power.
Supreme Court directs Tarun Butolia's family to seek safety assessment from Delhi Police after fatal Uttam Nagar clash.
CM Stalin asserts unity in the DMK-led alliance, dismissing division attempts and emphasizing collaborative efforts for the upcoming elections.
Rahul Gandhi to skip Kerala rally due to Sonia Gandhi’s ill health; Kharge to attend Kozhikode event
Rahul Gandhi will miss the Kerala rally due to Sonia Gandhi's health; Congress president Kharge to attend instead.
Thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds forecasted for 20 Telangana districts on March 26
TGSRTC reduces Metro AC and Deluxe bus fares by 30% in Hyderabad to encourage public transport amid the fuel crisis.
Supreme Court criticises Haryana Police for mishandling a four-year-old rape case, mandates swift action and oversight with a Special Investigation Team.