Aashna Gupta Week 6

SPACE, GENDER, AND FEAR OF CRIME

Tanusree Paul

The article explores the masculine concept of cities which derives from the increasing fear of crime and violence against women, which ends up pushing them out of the city spaces by restricting their use of public places. This helps in confining the women to the patriarchal concept of domestic activities in the private sphere. Gender identities ascribe physical and emotional responses to specific locations and fear of crime plays a huge role in the masculinization of cities. The author uses this example to make the larger argument that symbolic aspects of 'space' are key ingredients in the formation of restrictive social identities.

Speaking of mainstreaming space in gender studies, according to the author, a space identity is created by experiences, emotional bonds, concepts, and symbols. The key to the relationship between space and gender lies in the power dynamics that remain embedded in space. The binaries of space that confine women to their reproductive roles reflect the asymmetrical power relations generated by the idea of space.

Secondly, the female body becomes a contested site for spatial power dynamics. The 'space' becomes a locale where 'bodies' are 'situated' and acted out. Women are asked to behave differently from men since the day they are born, which results in occupational segregation and role differentiation.

Under the discourse of the public, the author relates gender space to social strategy. Different schools of thought have argued differently as to why women end up being restricted to household work. The binaries of "public" and "private" result because of different attitudes of sexuality, childhood, individuality, etc. The author also stresses on time as being a social construct leading to inhibition of female usage of public space.

The Case Study of Kolkata brings all the aforementioned aspects to the forefront, but here it is discussed specifically about crimes against women. Even though Kolkata has the least crime rate against women, the women are still scared and their fear revolves around their sexuality and preserving their reputation of being "good" women. However, the author makes an important observation regarding how women are not always merely passive victims of violence and continue to work against oppression, violence, and restrictions.