Why gender-sensitization is chasing a pipe-dream
My problem with gender sensitization as a solution to violence against women stems from the specificity being asked for in its practice. Meaning, all recommendations converge on promoting greater sensitivity towards women. Its understandable why, as such exhortations come in the aftermath of a horrific crime.
The problem with this approach is its lack of 'genericity'. Here's how.
Ensconced behavioral traits possessed are generic in the way they get displayed in exhibited behavior. Every context that results in a certain behavioral response will see a repetition of the response, despite changes for example in the people party to it, or the place it gets displayed at, if the context is held intact. Take the ability to be sensitive. It wouldn't matter who the object is, for sensitivity to play out. The response of a sensitive person will always be measured and empathetic. Conversely an insensitive person will continue on exhibiting insensitivity no matter who its being dished out to. The exception will always be one where the person is constrained by variables not within control, so he/she ends up exhibiting a markedly different, and customized behavioral response.
An insensitive lout will have least regard for women. If he's married and has children, you can pretty much be sure he raises his hand to his wife. His kids won't be spared either. If there's a pet in the house, you can bet he won't bat an eyelid if the creature starved to death! The exception will be when he displays an altered behavioral response, which is a put on, probably of meek obedience that will magically materialize when he's sidles up to his boss at work!
Getting back to the issue of violence against women in India, the solution lies not in getting people to turn gender sensitive, instead deliverance will come if sensitivity is fostered as a generic trait. A sensitized human being will play out the trait as exhibited behavior to all in question; Jew or Gentile, Man or Woman, Being or Beast...
The problem with this approach is its lack of 'genericity'. Here's how.
Ensconced behavioral traits possessed are generic in the way they get displayed in exhibited behavior. Every context that results in a certain behavioral response will see a repetition of the response, despite changes for example in the people party to it, or the place it gets displayed at, if the context is held intact. Take the ability to be sensitive. It wouldn't matter who the object is, for sensitivity to play out. The response of a sensitive person will always be measured and empathetic. Conversely an insensitive person will continue on exhibiting insensitivity no matter who its being dished out to. The exception will always be one where the person is constrained by variables not within control, so he/she ends up exhibiting a markedly different, and customized behavioral response.
An insensitive lout will have least regard for women. If he's married and has children, you can pretty much be sure he raises his hand to his wife. His kids won't be spared either. If there's a pet in the house, you can bet he won't bat an eyelid if the creature starved to death! The exception will be when he displays an altered behavioral response, which is a put on, probably of meek obedience that will magically materialize when he's sidles up to his boss at work!
But remember, once a lout, always a lout!
Marketing, like sensitivity or any other behavioral trait, is a generic skill-set. A marketing professional isn't restricted by the vertical he operates in. Meaning, if its soap or sawdust that needs consumer buy in, a marketer will engineer it. A change in target consumer poses no difficulty to a true-blood marketing professional who's focused on crafting superior value for his patrons.
Now what's the probability India will turn into a sensitized nation?
Pretty bleak, I must say! Why?
Watch this space and you'll soon know.
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