(Teacher)
Space, Place, and Violence is a book that takes a controversial topic and puts it into geographical perspective. James A. Tyner puts the idea that violence can be part of the society in which an individual life. Therefore, violence can be either accepted or unacceptable in that society, depending on where the individual lives on the planet and what culture he or she is a part of. (Tyner)
Tyner proposes that violence is within the normal daily life of most people. Violence does not have to leave bruises, scars, or a physical mark of any kind. Violence depends on race, gender, sex, and class. For example, in 1940, a young black prostitute could be taken, beaten, and left for dead by white males and no one would do anything. However, laws have changed since then and those white males would be prosecuted if all of the factors are in place to catch the men. (Tyner) Racism and sexism is still present in modern society, the laws have changed but not the attitudes of many against race, gender, or any other difference.
In his book, Tyner discusses how things haven’t changed in society, only the laws that may or may not protect the victim. (Tyner) For example, there is still rape occurring and oftentimes the victim is asked what he or she did to provoke the rapist. I say he or she because rape occurs with both genders and is not selective.
Tyner also discusses how violence is prevalent in modern society. Violence occurs toward women, men, boys, and girls and is not gender specific who is violated by whom. Children bully each other using words and causing physical harm to other children. This has not disappeared with the new century, although rules that govern this behavior have changed, the behavior still occurs.
Men bully women in a myriad of ways. They can force a woman to feel uncomfortable, do things they do not want to do, and generally mentally abuse them in many ways. Men are not victimless in this action, as some women know how to manipulate and bully men too. Domestic violence is very real and most of the time it goes unreported because the victim is usually too scared to do anything about it.
Sometimes no one does anything until it is too late and the victim dies as a result of the abuse. This occurs with adults and children. Oftentimes children are the victims of this violence, at the hands of the very people who gave them life and are supposed to care for them. Sometimes the abuser parent feels so guilty that he or she decides to turn a gun on the rest of the family and then shoots him or herself. These are examples that are mostly in the United States and with every class of people, but most often middle to low socio-economic classes.
Tyner states that women are most likely to be abused or victimized in their own home. Typically this in the form of partner or spousal abuse. (Tyner) Although it may also be the case of child abusing his or her mother, aunt, sister, or grandmother. However, culture does have a part in the acceptance of the abuse. For example, in some cultures it is normal for a man to hit the females in his family if they displease him. Although, in the United States, this is not the case.
In some communities an individual can be hunted down or left to die if he or she is not a valued member of that society or culture. The author explains that this occurs because of political, economical, and social reasons. In the United States this type of behavior is seen as barbaric, unethical, and wrong on so many levels. However, we are challenged to understand the reasons, cultures, and social acceptance of how violence is more acceptable in the world, depending on where an individual life, what society he or she lives in, and what class he or she is.
Violence is everywhere. It is on the television, in the movies, in magazines, video games are built on violence, and even sporting events are built around violence. It is no wonder why violence is viewed as an acceptable part of modern society and why children often think that it is okay. Children are the real losers and the members of society that need to learn that those things they see on T.V. are not real, so they can grow up and learn not to be violent. I am only talking about industrialized countries. In emerging countries, there does not seem to be a big issue about violence. Violence seems to be focused on countries with busy big cities, overcrowded metropolitan centers of commerce and populations of thousands or millions.
A violent society seems to naturally breed extraordinary violence. Extraordinary violence is occurrences of mass shootings, terrorist attacks, and horrible acts of violence that affect many people. Extraordinary violence is broadcast across the media as quickly as it occurs, and sometimes even during the event. After a while, society becomes numb to these events and turn a deaf ear and a hardened heart to the event or events like it. What once devastated the world, seems to only effect those who are near the event or knew someone who was involved or hurt in the event. The larger the event, the more it is televised. However, the small events are viewed as less important and not in the media outside of the local news. Violence is everywhere, every day, occurring by everyday people, in every walk of life. It’s just not a subject that most people talk about unless they are involved.
Most of the time bystanders or neighbors refuse to get involved in rescuing someone they know is being abused. We are taught as children to look the other way. Don’t say anything. Do not get involved. These messages keep adults from helping each other when something is wrong. Children are encouraged to play violent video games, and allowed to watch violent shows or movies. Children grow up to be adults that think violence is a part of life.
There is no recipe or special set of rules that will predict the likelihood of which person will become violent and which person will be peaceful, however that would be very helpful to have the ability to be proactive in preventing a violent person. (Tyner) Some researchers say that socio-economic status, race, gender, and home life may be factors in predicting a potentially violent person, these are not accurate as most poor people are actually really nice, peaceful people while most wealthy people enjoy walking on the backs of others to keep moving up their ladder. These are generalities of course and are not based on any reality, only observational opinions. However, there are a few predictors, such as drug abuse, mental disorders, and a record of past violence.
In conclusion, Tyner uses many statements that are based on generalities from the World Health Organization to propose popular ideas about violence and who may or may not be prone to be a victim or an abuser. He uses labels such as socio-economic status, gender, education, sexual preference, and location to define these ideas. While scientific, they are not accurate in all cases. The book was educating and interesting to read. Some of the information was difficult to get through, not because I didn’t understand, but because it was emotionally challenging to read about. Some of the victims were especially heartbreaking to read about, and overall this is a difficult topic to discuss. It was an experience that this writer will have a hard time forgetting.
Works Cited
Tyner, James A. Space, Place, And Violence. New York: Routledge, 2012. Print.