Sexist jokes encourage violence against women

London, July 4

Sexist jokes induce an attitude that equates violence against women with a macho image, according to a recent study.

Scientists at the University of Granada in Spain sent questionnaires to a group of 109 students aged between 18 and 26.

They showed them two series of jokes, one of them sexist where women were denigrated, and another one with jokes without any kind of sexist content.

The researchers then proposed to them several scenes with different cases of battering against women, from minor to serious attacks, to ask them how they would react in these kind of situations.

The study showed that those who had listened to sexist jokes were much more tolerant to female battering than those who had not.

However, the researchers warned that those individuals affected by sexist humour showed a previous tendency to tolerate violence against women, said a Granada release.

Some of the perceptions of men's sexist attitudes were: "Deep down, feminists intend women to be more powerful than men", "most of the women do not fully appreciate what men do for them" or "there are many women who make sexual insinuations to men and later they reject their advances just to make fun of them".

These findings are slated for publication in the US Journal of Interpersonal Violence.

Last updated on Jul 4^th, 2009 at 15:56 pm IST--IANS

Other News Headlines

Queen applauds 'wonderful end' to Patil's Britain visit

London, Nov 7

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has praised the Indian-themed launch of the Queen's Baton Relay in London last week as marking a "wonderful end" to President Pratibha Patil's visit to Britain.

Prince Philip joins British Hindus to fight climate change

London, Nov 7

Hindu leaders in Britain have teamed up with Prince Philip and the UN to launch a long-term action plan that will engage with the community worldwide in the fight against climate change, an Oxford University centre said.

Bangladesh seeks link to Bhutan via India

Thimphu, Nov 7

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has sought a road to Bhutan through India for bettr trade and people-to-people contact. She told her hosts at this Bhutanese capital that India had accepted the idea in principle.

12 militants killed in Pakistan

Islamabad, Nov 7

Pakistani troops have killed 12 Taliban militants in the ongoing operation in country's northwest, the army said Saturday.

Head of GM Europe may join Tata motors: Report

Frankfurt, Nov 7

The European chief of General Motors (GM), Carl-Peter Forster, may switch to Indian car manufacturer Tata, German media reported Saturday.

Enter Your Name and Email below and Post your comment
Name	Email:
Comment:

Please login to use this service
Usermame :
Password :
Quick signup \| Forgot Password