Research finds rhetoric around #MeToo often focused on punishment, not causes of violence
The #MeToo movement began as a way for victims of gender-based violence to find solidarity, share their experiences and bring justice to perpetrators of misconduct. New research from the University of Kansas shows that conversations about #MeToo often become focused on punishment and forced poverty as justice for crimes instead of examining why gender-based violence happens and is prevalent in…
A University of Kansas study has found that discussions surrounding the #MeToo movement often emphasize punishment over the root causes of gender-based violence. By 2018, high-profile men had been accused of sexual misconduct, prompting writer Katie J.M. Baker to question what should be done with these individuals. Meggie Mapes, an associate specialist in communication studies, along with Daniel Chick, analyzed reader comments on a New York Times article to explore public reactions.
The majority of commenters called for imprisonment, but many also advocated for stripping the perpetrators of their power and resources, and even suggested forcing them into lifelong poverty or denying them positions of authority.
Mapes explained that the research revealed a strong preference for punishment, with few addressing the underlying causes of gender-based violence or the systemic issues within the criminal justice system. Commenters frequently expressed the notion that poverty is a choice and that individuals should bear the consequences of their actions, implying that those living in poverty or working certain jobs deserve their socio-economic status.
The researchers note that this perspective aligns with carceral feminism, which argues that the criminal justice system can tackle gender violence through punishment, without considering the broader societal factors or the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities. Mapes plans to continue investigating how punishment is portrayed in media and public narratives, aiming to understand how these views shape societal attitudes towards gender-based violence and criminal justice reform.
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