Patriarchy on college campuses plays a major role in the rape culture on college campuses. Patriarchy is directly idealized in the form of masculinity that emphasizes male heterosexual dominance over females (Schwart & DeKeseredy, 1997). This emphasis is dominated by aggression particularly in fraternities and college athletics which cultivates the elements of the rape culture on college campuses. Most college fraternities pride themselves on recruiting members that are popular with female college students. Some fraternity members use their popularity to force female students into unwanted sexual encounters, which result in rape (Martin & Hummer, 1989).
Fraternities glamourize the college life, which may appeal to some new female students that are trying to fit in (Bohmer & Parrot, 1993). This makes it easy for patriarchal fraternities to prey on these females, which may result in them being raped. Their views of female students are that they are weaker and have little to no value. Patriarchal views by male professors, deans and presidents only empowers the …show more content…
Fraternity pledges are more likely to rape female college students because of patriarchal initiations and rituals. These initiations and rituals place emphasis on masculinity which can force a fraternity pledge to fulfil their patriarchal beliefs. These views results in lenient punishments of male rapist and ineffective investigation into female rape victims claims. I believe that these patriarchal views can be changed by discouraging the paratracheal views and practices of fraternities. This can be accomplished by harsher and stricter punishments of sexual violence by fraternity members. Also by educating female and male students of what sexual violence is and looks likes. Education is key in combating patriarchy on college