Philosopher Kate Manne joins Janey Williams in sharing her experiences of sexual assault and the troubling reactions she received from loved ones. They discuss the concept of 'himpathy' and the biased nature of empathy, highlighting the unequal treatment of male perpetrators and female victims. The podcast explores the aftermath of trauma, the reasons for not reporting immediately, and the complex dynamics of holding men accountable. They also delve into the impact of rape culture on women's experiences and the urgent need for change.
The concept of Himpathy highlights the prevalence of empathy towards male perpetrators of sexual violence and the lack of accountability for their actions.
Society's ingrained habit of excusing men for their actions perpetuates a culture where victims of sexual violence are not prioritized or heard.
Deep dives
Janie's Story of Sexual Assault and Its Aftermath
Janie Williams shares her experience of being sexually assaulted by a former friend named Matthew and the aftermath that followed. The story highlights the complex dynamics in their friendship and the consequences Janie faced after breaking up with Matthew. She explores the reactions of her friends and family, who showed empathy towards Matthew while neglecting her pain and trauma. The summary emphasizes the prevalence of empathy towards male perpetrators and the lack of accountability for their actions, shedding light on the concept of Himpathy.
The Phenomenon of Himpathy
The episode delves into the concept of Himpathy, a term coined by philosopher Kate Mann. Himpathy refers to the sympathetic treatment often extended to male perpetrators, particularly in cases of sexual violence against women. The episode discusses how Himpathy is deeply embedded in our culture and highlights the harmful consequences of excusing men for their actions, especially when committed against women. It emphasizes the need to challenge this ingrained habit and recognize the impact it has on victims.
The Role of Gender Roles in Empathy
The podcast explores the role of gender roles in the empathy demonstrated towards male perpetrators. It argues that patriarchal cultures assign particular roles to men and women, conditioning society to see women as caregivers and men as recipients of care and support. This conditioning leads to a tendency to minimize or overlook the harm caused by male perpetrators, perpetuating a culture where victims are not prioritized or heard.
Challenging Rape Culture and Misogyny
The episode highlights the prevalence of rape culture and misogyny in society, examining how they contribute to the lack of accountability for male perpetrators. By sharing Janie's story and the empathy shown towards Matthew, the podcast aims to spark a conversation that challenges these harmful norms and promotes a more equal and just society.
Several years after Janey was sexually assaulted by her former boyfriend, Mathew, she told some of her closest friends, and her mother, what Mathew had done. Janey was so troubled by her loved ones’ responses, or lack thereof, that she went back to them years later to record conversations about it all. In this episode: Janey’s story, and philosopher Kate Manne, who coined the term “himpathy” in her 2017 book, *Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny. *With co-hosts John Biewen and Celeste Headlee.
To hear more of Janey Williams’ story and the conversations she had with friends, check out her podcast, "This Happened", available on most podcast apps and at thishappenedpodcast.com.
Music by Alex Weston, Evgueni and Sacha Galperine, and Kevin MacLeod. Music and production help from Joe Augustine at Narrative Music.
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