Unveiling Gender-based Violence in American Society

During college, students are often exposed to diverse perspectives and worldviews that shape their views on different social issues. As part of this process, they are encouraged to engage in critical thinking and develop refined arguments that address and offer solutions to these issues. One of the critical social issues that this essay will address is gender-based violence. Specifically, the essay will analyze "American Jerk" by Carmen Maria Machado to understand the author's arguments against gender-based violence and her proposed solution.

In her essay, Machado argues against gender-based violence by highlighting how it is normalized and justified in American culture. She discusses how, in many cases, victims of violence are blamed for their actions rather than the perpetrators. Machado states that this phenomenon reflects how people fail to acknowledge the extent of violence against women and how it is perpetuated by the patriarchy. According to her, the patriarchy often uses physical violence to control women and marginalize them.

The author's arguments are supported by various statistics that reveal the prevalence of gender-based violence. For instance, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1 in 3 women in the United States has experienced physical violence by an intimate partner. Furthermore, intimate partner violence represents 15% of all violent crime in the United States, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. These statistics provide evidence that gender-based violence is a prevalent issue that needs to be addressed in American society.

Machado proposes that to address the issue of gender-based violence, people need to look critically at the patriarchy and how it affects women's lives. According to her, the patriarchy is insidious, and it is reflected in the language we use and how we think about gender roles. Specifically, she argues that the patriarchy reinforces violence by using language that diminishes women's experiences. For example, phrases such as "boys will be boys" normalize violence committed by men and shift the blame to the victim.

Machado argues that to address gender-based violence, people must be willing to acknowledge its prevalence and the role that the patriarchy plays in perpetuating it. She suggests that we challenge traditional gender roles and dismantle the cultural norms that support violence. Specifically, she proposes that we should use language that reflects the severity of the issue and holds perpetrators accountable for their actions.

In conclusion, Machado's "American Jerk" provides a critical analysis of gender-based violence in American society and proposes solutions for addressing it. The author argues that the patriarchy perpetuates violence against women and that to address this issue, we need to look critically at the language we use and the cultural norms that support violence. Her proposed solutions include challenging traditional gender roles, using language that holds perpetrators accountable, and advocating for policies that support victims of violence. By addressing this issue, we can create a safer and more equitable society for everyone.