| OCR Text |
Show 6 Wednesday, October 5, 2011 OPINION www.dailyutahchronicle.cor ► Greek debt Female stereotypes prime to ripple women for sexual assault worldwide 26i ALEX OUITIOUIT StaffWriter T he Hinckley Institute of Politics Forum "The Global Financial Crisis of 2011. New Meltdown or Same Old Catastrophe?" was a provocative debate that proved the European debt crisis is something that will not only affect the economies of Europe, but shock the entire world. Matias Vernengo, economics professor and one of the four panelists, discussed the need of a bailout for Greece, perhaps the most troubled nation. "Greece is formally a part of a unified European currency system," Vernengo said. "For the whole of Europe, whose GDP is 12.3 trillion, Greek debt is around 3 percent of Eurozone GDP. The amount of Greek bonds the European Union has to buy to calm down financial markets is tiny." Although this crisis is European in origin, the ramifications of the possible Greek default would be widespread and would drastically affect the U.S. economy. In our increasingly globalized world, the financial markets of the European Union and those of the United States are effectively dependent on one another. As our consumer and financial markets and our export and import industries are interconnected, we would face a crisis of intercontinental proportions. The initial effect of default in Greece would be a complete collapse of the Greek banking system, as a vast amount of assets held are in government bonds. This would lead to a rampant capital lock-up in the economy, in which liquidity would completely dry up, leaving Greece depleted of cash. In the case that Greece defaults on its debt, the effects of the default would not stay within Greece, they would extend to other peripheral E.U. nations through financial speculation. Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Italy are in similar debt crises and at risk of financial havoc. This possible domino effect, fueled by financial speculation and the inactivity of the European Union to help prevent further crisis, would send financial markets into a downturn that could be felt worldwide. The European Central Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the EU are the political and financial agents in this crisis. As it was in 2008 in the United States, this crisis has caused these institutions to consider a large-scale installment bailout to help prevent the default of Greece on its debt. As seen in recent news, there has been opposition to this solution. Many European nations are asking themselves why they should have to pay for a debt crisis that isn't their own. This sentiment is disconnected and threatens the entire globe. The EU is an economic and political formation of 27 sovereign nations, and 23 of these nations share a common currency. Without any real sense of political unity, and a lack of financial support, the Eurozone is setting itself up to lose much from this crisis. Although the questions of how Greece ended up here are important, that discussion has passed. The crisis is imminent and could prove catastrophic, to the tone of our recent Great Recession, if proper measures aren't enacted to keep this contagion from spreading. s a woman, I'm told by society to be meek and submissive, that I should hide my body because MEGAN "modest is hottest," that my LEONARDI nature should be nurturing and that I should perform femininity in a certain way. Women are promised reStaffWriter wards for upholding ladylike personas, but the truth is that being ladylike grooms women to Makomenaw said. be victims of sexual assault. Although anybody can Myths about rape pollute become the victim of sexual understanding of the current assault, the most likely victims situation. For example, many are not the women dressed propeople believe that sexual asvocatively but rather those who sault victims "ask for it." exhibit stereotypical femininity "We often do victim-blaming and have "significant passive and it's almost natural," said An- and submissive personality gie Makomenaw, the Violence structures," according to Lynne Against Women coordinator at Richards' study, A Theoretical Analysis of Nonverbal Commuthe Women's Resource Center. "A lot of women do that, almost nication and Victim Selection more than men do, because it's a for Sexual Assault. safe way to protect themselves." "Rape is a power-and-control A prominent belief is that situation, it's taking power from victims somehow provoke an at- the weak," Makomenaw said. tack by their behavior, attitudes "It's the belief that they (rapor dress. ists) can take it and that they "If women think 'I'll never deserve to take it, it's all about dress that way' or 'I'll never the inequality in this country." drink that much so I don't have Our society has created a to worry about it,' they think gender binary with an unequal they can protect themselves," division of power, a patriarchal system of oppression in which women are given little authority. Caucasian males hold the most power, and in religiously affiliated states such as Utah, they are granted even more. Each day when women remain passive and submissive is a day we are at risk for sexual assault. One out of three Utah women will experience a sexual assault in her lifetime, according to a release from the Utah Department of Health. The strict gender roles of stereotypical masculinity and femininity lead to discrimina- We often do victimblaming and it's natural. A lot of women do that, almost more than men do, because it's a safe way to protect themselves. Angie Makomenaw, Violence Against Women Coordinator tion and oppression. Advertising, where isolated body parts rather than complete women are shown, dehumanizes and objectifies women. This dehumanization is yet another game of power and control, one that rapists also play. "You wouldn't ask a chair if you could sit on it, you would just sit down," Makomeraw said. "If you treat another person as an object, why would you ask permission? Why would you care about their feelings, because all that matters are your feelings." Traditional femininity doesn't encourage strong women. It builds victims. Enough is enough, I am tired of being victimized because I have a vagina. Passivity and blind obedience to men should be in the past. Ladies, refuse oppression, take a stand, be brave enough to call yourselves feminists and fight for what is yours—equality. Women do not choose to be raped. We do not choose to be oppressed. But we do choose whether to shout, or to stay ladylike and silent. letters@chronicle.utah.edu Money center can help break bad habits L ike many students, I have failed to set realistic financial goals and wasn't always sure where to find my credit score, and have been altogether irresponsible with my money. This often comes as a result of my unparalleled desire for new shoes. Nevertheless, for economically stranded students, or just those who want to learn helpful strategies for managing their I like to equate (the Personal Money Management Center) with getting a health check with the doctor. It's just to make sure everything is OK. Kristina Rodrigues, Associate Coordinator of PMMC StaffWriter own finances, the Associated Students of the University of Utah's Personal Money Management Center is an invaluable resource. The center was created in response to a student survey. Consequently, portions of students' additional tuition fees are now directed toward funding the center. As a result, its services are entirely free for students. "Students need to get into... good financial habits," said Ann House, the coordinator of the center. Beyond basic financial misunderstandings, creating strong values and the recognition that they are not hopeless are the points at highest stakes for students. Regardless of your economic background, with hard work, you can undoubtedly form a plan with the center to help make you more financially stable. "Students just don't know the right questions to ask. Coming to see us, students can lay everything out," said Kristina Rodriguez, the associate coordinator of the center. Yet it is exactly this kind of learned helplessness that permeates student views about responsible choices with money during college. Many students see their college years as a period of time that is somehow removed from the real world, and because of this, they often feel justified in throwing their money down the drain. More than 8o percent of students said their primary source for financial information was their parents, family and friends, according to a 2004 survey conducted by Texas Tech University. Although many students might find learning from friends and family to serve them well, it still does not compete with the expertise offered by a professional group run directly through the U. Although there are plenty of students who are able to keep a keen eye on their spending practices and feel comfortable in where their finances stand,even they shouldn't turn away the benefits the center can offer. "I like to equate us to getting a health check with the doctor," Rodriguez said. "It's just to make sure everything is OK." Take the initiative now to learn in small steps about how to use your financial resources properly, learn about credit, or whatever ails you. Failing to take advantage of these resources you're already paying for is only setting up walls in your future and doing a disservice to yourself. letters@ chronicle.utah.edu ;•1 , I letters@chronicle.utah.edu L.; INTERNS AND DJs WANTED! Arts events going on around the U and Salt Lake City, follow our Twitter account at Gain Experience Meet New People Speak Your Mind apply online today @ kuteradio.com Noi()A0141 v4v4v4Ault SEARCH FOR KUTE ON THE MOBILE APP • tunein cab RADIO ..re 432.788.0123 / Studio: Union, 4th Floor |
