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Sexual Domination In Uniform: An American Value

Sisyphe | 12.07.2004 19:02 | Analysis | Anti-militarism | Repression

Militarized sexual domination is neither "contrary to American values" nor simply the work of a few "bad apples." It is, rather, a daily practice. The "bad apples" defense is both unspeakably inadequate and completely disingenuous.

The Abu Ghraib portraits of sexual humiliation and submission have exposed the unbelievably tangled strands of racism, misogyny, homophobia, national arrogance and hyper-masculinity that characterize the US military. Militarized sexual domination is neither "contrary to American values" nor simply the work of a few "bad apples." It is, rather, a daily practice. The "bad apples" defense is both unspeakably inadequate and completely disingenuous. While narrowing the scope of inquiry to individual transgression may provide a convenient protective shield for the military, it also deflects attention away from very troubling realities. The photos of Abu Ghraib reveal as much about our nation as they do about the soldiers of the 372nd Military Police Company. Read full story

The sexual sadism of our culture, in peace and in war- The Abu Ghraib images have all the hallmarks of contemporary porn, par Katharine Viner, Guardian
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Globalization and the Sex Trade: Trafficking and the Commodification of Women and Children, by Richard Poulin, professor, Ottawa University - Read full story

As countries are considering legalizing and decriminalizing the sex industry, Janice G. Raymond urge us to consider the ways in which legitimating prostitution as "work" does not empower the women in prostitution but does everything to strengthen the sex industry. Read full story

The Legalisation of Prostitution : A failed social experiment, by Sheila Jeffeys

Sheila Jeffreys shows that the social experiment of legalising brothel prostitution which took place in Australia in the 1980s and 1990s has failed in all of its objectives i.e. stopping the illegal industry and police corruption, reducing the harm to women, stopping street prostitution. Read full story

"Legitimating Prostitution as Sex Work : UN Labour Organization (ILO) Calls for Recognition of the Sex Industry (Part One and Two)", by Janice G. Raymond.

Janice G. Raymond analyses a controversial 1998 report of the International Labor Organization (ILO), the official labor agency of the United Nations, calling for economic recognition of the sex industry. Citing the expanding reach of the industry and its unrecognized contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) of four countries in Southeast Asia, the ILO urges official recognition of what it terms "the sex sector." Read full story

Others English Articles on Sisyphe

Prostitution

- Ten Raisons for Not Legalizing Prostitution, by Janice G. Raymond
- Legitimating Prostitution as Sex Work: UN Labour Organization (ILO) Calls for Recognition of the Sex Industry- Part One and Two, by Janice G. Raymond
- The Legalisation of Prostitution: A failed social experiment, by Sheila Jeffreys
- Prostitution: Rights of Women or right to women ? by Elaine Audet

Feminist Critics

- Elisabeth Badinter distorts feminism the better to fight it, by Elaine Audet
- A report from Status of Women Canada about the discursive denial of gender inequalities, by Micheline Carrier
-The "Stolen Feminism" Hoax: Anti-Feminist Attack Based on Error-Filled Anecdotes, by Laura Flanders

Health

- Friendships between women good for health, by Gale Berkowitz
- Canadian Women's Health Network, by CWHN
- Good clone, bad clone?, by Abby Lippmann
-Hormone Replacement Therapy, the "Magic Bullet" Ricochets, by Abby Lippmann

Divorce

- Children of divorce need our protection, by Michele Landsberg
- Divorce Bill's flaws inadvertently aid abusers, by Michele Landsberg

Education

- Problem isn't little boys, it's little minds, by Michele Landsberg

Poems for Peace

- Poem for Peace, by Elaine Audet
- Peace Rally Speech of a 12 year old American Girl, by Charlotte Aldebron

- Short cut for all english articles on Sisyphe

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Hide the following 3 comments

Hang on Femo one of the main abusers was a woman?

14.07.2004 12:44

Ultra masculinity? Male dominance in uniform? Apply common sense to the situation, those abused were mostly men and one of the main abusers at Abu Gharib was female! This was a case of abuse flowing from racial or religous superiority rather than gender power structures. But any excuse for a feminist to trot out the usual claptrap. Any way most women love the Army, they join it, they date soldiers and marry them, because they see soldiers as powerful? But then like most femos you have a problem with male heterosexuality per se. Ironically many lesbians actually join too they are attracted by the idea of female solidarity and camaraderie they often ape the military's macho values. There is nothing wrong with that, neither do they join to rape foreigners abroard.

Harry Flashman

news flash, "flashman"...

10.08.2004 13:49

this comment would be laughable if it weren't so hateful:

on 14.07.2004 13:44
Flashman wrote:

"Ultra masculinity? Male dominance in uniform? Apply common sense to the situation, those abused were mostly men"

the ones we SAW in pictures. the U.S. government is withholding the most incendiary pictures and videos because they involve women and are projected to cause even more unrest in the Iraqi civilian population. And don't forget the CHILDREN abused at Abu Ghraib... does it matter if they're male or female?

"and one of the main abusers at Abu Gharib (sic) was female!"

take a look at Lynndie England, then at this Graner guy, who is emerging as the "ringleader" of the abuse. He was her superior, in age and rank. He got her pregnant. I know, it takes two - but this Graner was able to gather a number of his troops onto his abuse terror squad. He was the only one with prison guard experience, remember. I believe this dim-wit England got swept up in the frenzy and didn't want to be marked as a "pussy" - which happens to female soldiers if they don't keep up with the males.

"Any way most women love the Army, they join it, they date soldiers and marry them, because they see soldiers as powerful?"
why the question mark? that's a ridiculous statement. there is a huge difference between joining the Army and dating a soldier because one is turned on by the power. If a woman wears the same uniform, what happens to the male soldier's exotic mysterious aura of power? it negates it. male and female soldiers get married (and have affairs) because they live and work in close quarters, they can identify with each other, same as civilian workplaces.

"But then like most femos you have a problem with male heterosexuality per se."
The article attacks the military mindset, not male heterosexuality. It's about racism and national arrogance, as demonstrated in the 372nd MP company. As you point out, there are female members of this company.

"Ironically many lesbians actually join too they are attracted by the idea of female solidarity and camaraderie they often ape the military's macho values. There is nothing wrong with that, neither do they join to rape foreigners abroard (sic)."
Where did THAT come from? Has there been ANY mention of lesbians at Abu Ghraib or anywhere else in Iraq? Who are you to say what lesbians are attracted to? Solidarity, camaraderie, you say... and you oh so benevolently absolve the lesbians by saying "there is nothing wrong with that, neither do they join to rape foreigners abroard (sic)." If there's nothing wrong with it, why bring it up? How is it IRONIC? And who do you suggest joins the military with the express purpose of raping foreigners abroad? The only rapes being investigated at Abu Ghraib have been perpetrated by male soldiers - some of them on women, some on boys.

Your misogynistic nonsense gives a black eye to this forum.
Harry Flashman

dissenter

Only there CO was female!?

16.08.2004 20:31

To date the most senior US service person to face charges is Brig Gen Karpinski, a female. The analysis of male supremacy is utterley wrong.

Harry