Word: shainess
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...Shainess is quick to point out that she is in no way implying that the woman is to blame, that she is "asking for it" in any way that would exonerate the victimizer. Shainess is merely acknowledging that women contribute to their own exploitation by being easy victims. In fact, Shainess includes a chapter delineating the victimizer's psychopathology in an attempt to explain how opportunities for masochism come about. Though she regrets the existence of victimizers, she accepts them as a given, and suggest ways by which women can protect themselves. This includes specific advice on how to avoid...
...true cure-all, according to Shainess, is that women must become autuonomous individuals congnizant of their own worth. For even a slightly masochistic woman this requires a major reorganization of the ways in which she views herself and her relations with others. Shainess is adamant, however, that masochism can be overcome. She offers a variety of ways to facilitate the process, but (not unexpectedly) advocates some form of psychotherapy. Therapy, unfortunately, is a service the most victimized are the least likely to afford...
...WHILE SHAINESS is both interesting and scholarly when explaining the origins and manifestiations of masochism in daily life, she verges on the simplistic in the chapters devoted to self-help. In addition, "the cure" Shainess is proposing is unettling in a couple of ways. First, she insists that women must develop a tough self-contained autonomy to avoid being victimized, on the premise that people will victimize if they see vulnerability. Granted, one should be selective about whom one opens up to (the masochist is characterized by a need to show her vulnerabilty to everyone), but Shainess fails to show...
Secondly, this tough autonomy becomes alarmingly akin to what is conventionally defined as masculine. It is unclear whether Shainess wishes to help women to become less masochistic or to become men. In the conclusion of her book she describes several famous women who may meet the standards of non-masochistic behavior. The ideal, apparently, is Golda Meir...
Masochism is no doubt a serious and widespread problem, destroying the lives and chances for happiness of many women as well as encouraging violence, pornography and exploitation. But wouldn't it be wiser to eliminate the victimizing tendencies of society instead? As an M.D., Shainess should know that it makes more sense to climinate the cause of the disease, rather than the patient...