“During a discussion about Roger Goodell’s handling of recent off-the-field NFL scandals Sunday morning on Reliable Sources, CNN contributor and ESPN writer LZ Granderson said the media are not paying nearly as much attention to soccer star Hope Solo’s domestic violences charges for two reasons: she’s a girl, and she plays soccer.
Before mentioning Hope Solo, Granderson said sports writers should stop “hero-worshipping” athletes just because of their on-the-field performance. He noted how similar practices used on politicians ended after Watergate.
“We also need to be critical of the women as well,” Granderson continued, invoking the soccer star. Host Brian Stelter then asked Granderson to delve deeper into that subject.
Granderson said Hope Solo’s case is not given similar media attention because of a “gender difference” and “the sport that they play.”
Watch the clip here: http://www.mediaite.com/tv/lz-granderson-media-not-paying-attention-to-hope-solo-because-of-her-gender/
Ana Kasparian (http://www.twitter.com/anakasparian) and Ben Mankiewicz (http://www.twitter.com/benmankiewicz) of The Young Turks discuss the story. Ben and Ana go on to discuss the media’s reaction to the story and speculate on the root causes of the recent trend of domestic violence stories from professional athletes. Why do you think there has been less coverage of this story in the media? Tell us what you think in the comment section below.
Comments
Err. Well, less coverage is due to less potential consequences. Physical harm and abuse by women in domestic cases is rare. Not sure I’ve ever heard a story about a woman knocking out or physically doing real damage – much less killing another adult- without a weapon. To be clear, women are NOT “able to do the exact same things as a man does in terms of physical violence.” as you said, Anna.
Anna, this is similar to your take on statutory rape charges.. Women who have sex with 15 year old boys are not the same as men who do the same to girls (or boys). Sure, the same potential for psychological damage exists but there is a real difference you don’t want to discuss or maybe admit to: women cannot physically force the rape while men can. If even a 110lb 14-15 yr old boy wants out of the situation badly enough – he’s gone. Period, end of story. Not so for victims vs. men. Don’t argue – I was that boy and would love to have been ‘victimized’ by my 19 year old lifeguard babysitter but, at the same time, no way in hell even Rhonda Rousey could have forced it physically..
Truth is the double standard exists in the application of the law. Here in CO you face the same charge for drinking and biking as for drinking and driving – that is just stupid. The potential realistic consequences of the acts are very, very different. Is there a minuscule chance of a drunk on a road bike injuring or killing someone… sure. But it’s certainly not worth discussing, raising public awareness, or legislating as though the 1 in 10000 unlikeliest outcome where consequences might match an average car DUI events would be the expected norm.
The need to discriminate and say something is not a real issue – even if it is a possibility – is also the job of the media. There is no pattern of female domestic violence or hidden group of ex-domestic girl-on-man violence victims out there. There just isn’t. Where are the tmz pictures of the ‘abused’ Solo victims? … on their civil suit docs maybe (with makeup).
There is only so much “social outrage bandwidth” people have at a time. Be careful where you want to shine the light of public judgment or rightfully face annoyed comments about how much folks hate political correctness when they feel it’s too much. Is there a real need for focusing more on women that beat people up domestically? Really is there? hell no
…but, thinking about it with a guilty smile, I might have google machine up some old Springer just to see it.
While I agree that we hear less about women involved in domestic violence cases, I strongly disagree that it is rare. It isn’t rare: http://www.csulb.edu/~mfiebert/assault.htm
I really don’t get where your comment is going. Making ridiculous claims that there “is no pattern of female domestic violence”.
Sexual dimorphism, the physical differences between sexes of the same species is the only somewhat legitimate argument to use regarding this topic. But there is a lot of differing body types even taking SD into account. You’re focusing on the extreme polar opposites on the spectrum where Man= big and muscular and woman= dainty and skinny. You’re seriously suggesting that any man could physically restrain and rape any woman? And conversely, no woman can restrain or injure any man?
This woman is a strong athlete, you can’t make the argument that any man could kick her ass. That’s incredibly stupid. Of course there are women that could physically force and injure men. The media already doesn’t focus on these cases as explained in this TYT video, which in turn breeds ignorance and makes people like yourself think that women are rarely involved in domestic abuse cases. And you would have them discuss it less? Screw that. I, a male, was personally attacked and injured by a 40 year old woman who was babysitting me when I was 11. The woman was convicted and my family found out later that she had previously beat her son and pushed her exhusband down the stairs, breaking his arm. Domestic violence is not simply a male on female issue just because you hear about Ray Rice and not Hope Solo on the news.
“There is no pattern of female domestic violence”
With all due respect, dingulus, neither you nor Ben know what you’re talking about — In fact you should be ashamed of yourself for posting that tripe. {facepalm}
Ana was perfectly correct in pointing out Ben’s lapse of logic here because, in this instance, his position was blatantly sexist and a bloody embarrassment.
I can’t help but wonder why Miss Kasparian always seems to be the one that has to rein in her male co-panelists whenever they unleash yet another irrational misandric rant — Something which, I might add, happens with alarming frequency.
In closing, I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate Ana (who, ironically, takes a lot of crap from ignorant trolls that constantly call her a “feminazi”) for consistently being the most rational TYT host when these shameful double-standards arise.
Imperien Cypher
TYTTalk
PS: Great comment, pinaki90! I am quite pleased to see that others are aware of (and speaking out against) this recurring logical inconsistency.
…and, to follow up on the original article:
Now Hope Solo’s attorney says she is the on in the abusive relationship…
Hard to believe that the bedside interview from Hope Solo’s bandaged cousin in the ICU didn’t disabuse all of us of any confusion we might have about her long history of bloody family violence, dire consequences of further inaction, and the need to put her away.