That’s strange. Last time I checked Italy had public health care, higher life expectancy and higher quality of life than the corresponding US average. Is that true of Alabama?

Also, on the general point of the article: it is true that sexism is a serious problem in Italy, but citing the article by Farina to give a fair…

Hi.

Um...what does having a national language have to do with anything?

People just can’t understand what sexual assault does to you psychologically until they’ve been through it. Self-blame, guilt and silence are par for the course. The number one most common physiological reaction to assault is total freeze, and it’s not even in the victim’s physical control. She physically could not…

Not trying to start a fight here with anyone, but it’s probably not a coincidence that each of those countries you named is traditionally Catholic. The church has a long history of problematic views concerning women and sex.

Whore/Madonna. Same as it ever was.

I saw “Scarlet Diva” when it came out and thought it was a cry for help. I guess the scene where a producer tries to rape the protagonist was the loudest message she could broadcast.

Idk, I was more afraid of Italian men than any other men I’ve encountered in other countries. So many of them get a definite thrill out of making women uncomfortable or even downright afraid. I was locked in a dark bathroom in a gelato shop for half a fucking hour and was screaming while hearing men laugh outside.…

I’m actually pretty okay with other countries drawing conclusions about the US based on Trump winning. Those are valid observations, and we deserve to feel ashamed of it.

I guess that is just not my personal experience. I can think of two women I know who are VERY vocal with their feminism, who are also quite Right Wing (and who also are pissed that Trump wound up the GOP candidate). I also know Left Wing guys who THINK they are all pro-feminist but whom I have called out on a number…

Not to “condemn” all of Italy, as I love the place, but it is a country where open, loud catcalling or grabbing a woman’s ass in a crowd are considered normal. You will be told “Hey, don’t get in a huff, you are just pretty.” It is a cultural thing that is often still accepted by both sexes and will likely take many…

This is not a “right wing” thing. This is a human thing. This sort of thinking about women is predominant in most of the world, and if you get caught up in thinking it is right or left you will never scratch the surface of changing it.

Exactly! I remember the Breibart crowd being mercilessly whooped by the AVC community. It was glorious. Now those trolls are just everywhere. I can’t stress enough how much I miss the old AVC

Everyone who keeps trying to bash these women for not trying to bring light to Weinstein’s atrocities sooner seem to be conveniently ignoring that at least some of them tried to no avail and the fact that it’s basically taken a few dozen very rich women to make one very rich man face up to his actions. In other words,…

I’m not condemning anyone. I’m just surprised about this news that’s all. And btw I have said enough about the atrocity that is Trump. It’s being said all the time, everywhere. I’ve grown up in India, believe me when I say that I’m genuinely expressing shock because I’ve seen and heard worse when it comes to sexual…

It’s actually not just a “right wing thing,” as the article notes that people from across the political spectrum are criticizing Argento. Sexism and misogyny are not beholden to one political ideology - there are men who are politically liberal who also believe that women are second class citizens. It’s not an Italy…

One can acknowledge the flaws of one’s own country while also criticizing the flaws of another. In other words, we don’t have to believe America is perfect to say this particular attitude in Italy is bad.

Well, it’s Italy, as in most catholic countries, victim blaming is the way to go

I’m married to an Italian. When we go back to visit, I definitely feel that women are viewed differently there. Obviously there are exceptions. The vibe I get is that women are expected to be feminine and defer to men. My husband wants us to move back there in a few years, but I really do not think I would fit in well…

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: rape culture!