SHOULD FEMINISTS DEFEND SELF-DEFENSE?

Feminists have criticized self-defense training, arguing that by focusing on the targets of sexual assault, it constitutes a form of victim blaming, and that it is particularly ineffective against the most common forms of sexual assault. We argue here that such critiques are either targeted toward n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of feminist approaches to bioethics 2016-09, Vol.9 (2), p.172-182
Main Authors: Cahill, Ann J., Hunt, Grayson
Format: Article
Language:English
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COMMENTARY
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Summary:Feminists have criticized self-defense training, arguing that by focusing on the targets of sexual assault, it constitutes a form of victim blaming, and that it is particularly ineffective against the most common forms of sexual assault. We argue here that such critiques are either targeted toward nonfeminist approaches (and therefore hold significant merit) or adopt an overly narrow standard of success that, somewhat paradoxically, fails to recognize the corporeal effects of rape culture on feminized bodies. Feminist self-defense training should be understood as a bodily intervention that seeks to interrupt, undermine, and provide alternatives to the corporeal habits that assume and perpetuate rape culture.
ISSN:1937-4585
1937-4577
DOI:10.3138/ijfab.9.2.172