The Ancient Roots of Victim-Blaming: How Religious and Cultural Narratives Continue to Shape Womens Lives
The Biblical Foundation: Eve as the Original Scapegoat
The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden has profoundly shaped Western civilization's perception of women.
Hindu Epics: Complex Characters Reduced to Blame
Hindu literature, particularly the great epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, presents a more nuanced picture when examined closely, yet popular interpreta
The Psychological Appeal of Scapegoating
This pattern of blaming women serves several psychological and social functions. First, it provides simple explanations for complex problems. Rather t
Modern Manifestations: From Ancient Myths to Contemporary Victim-Blaming
The leap from ancient texts to modern victim-blaming is shorter than it might appear.
The Patriarchal Dividend
These narratives don't persist accidentally—they serve the interests of patriarchal power structures.
Reclaiming the Narrative
Understanding these patterns is the first step toward changing them. Critical examination of religious and cultural texts reveals their complexity and
Moving Forward: Creating New Stories
The persistence of these narratives across cultures and centuries shows their power, but it also reveals their constructed nature.
