Are Men More Hostile to Women?

Are young men behaving in an increasingly hostile manner, especially toward women? Can any conclusion be drawn from recent episodes, including the attack on women by a mob of men in New York’s Central Park following that city’s Puerto Rican Day celebration?

Young adults shared their views with MARY REESE BOYKIN.

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CHANTAL RANDOLPH

20, junior, USC

The portrayal of women on television and video gives young men the idea that women are easy, plentiful and will do anything to keep a man.

So they approach a normal, decent young lady with this perception and get upset because the young ladies don’t respond to them the way they see it happen in movies. The young men become angry and resort to berating women, even to becoming violent.

I feel that just as men feel that they can act any way they wish, women have the right to dress however they please, to say whatever they please. The way a woman dresses does not give men the right to treat her in a disrespectful manner. Some men need to grow up; the immature need to separate fiction from reality.

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JOHN NARCISE

21, UCLA graduate

My friends and I were on Flower Street following the Lakers’ victory. Cars were stalled; people were running around saying the Lakers are “No. 1.” The atmosphere was festive.

At one point, a convertible with four girls wearing tight clothing passed by. The mood was happy. A group of guys started chanting, “Take it off.” I became worried for the girls. Police officers came to the car.

Basically, when a bunch of guys come together, their intelligence level goes down. Every person is really smart in his own right. But in a crowd, we become dumb because many guys tend to follow what the crowd is doing. You want to bond, to be like everyone else. You lose your individuality.

For me, there is always a fine line. I am not going to get hurt; neither am I going to hurt anyone else. When the police came and the crowd rushed, that was my signal for me and my friends to leave.

Maybe testosterone influences male aggression. Males as a group are more physical, stronger and more powerful than women. Some males feel unstoppable toward women. Men must realize, though, that they have to deal with the consequences of their actions.

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RICHARD GARNICA

22, sophomore, USC

Male aggression is based on a number of factors. Young boys have lot of energy. As they grow older, there is pressure to do well in school, on the job. A group of guys getting together as they did after the Lakers’ championship is an avenue to let go of aggression. It was an opportunity to enjoy one another’s company.

Peer pressure plays a part in male aggression. Guys say to one another that you are not a man if you don’t do what the crowd is doing. It is easier to do what everyone else is doing than it is to stand on your own. But guys must keep in mind that anything that causes someone else harm is not a good thing.

I went to the celebration following the Lakers’ game to feel a sense of community. But I don’t know why anyone would have the lack of decency to hurt another.