Literary Blog #3

My literary blog this week is on the article Male athletes and sexual assault.
1) Visual:






2)Citation:

Melnick, M. (1992) ‘Male athletes and sexual assault’, Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 63(5), pp. 32–36. doi: 10.1080/07303084.1992.10604186.

3) Summary: This article examines the overall sporting environment and how it can be affected by all the attitudes and emotions of the players. It discusses different theories about attitudes that may play a role in sexual assault.

4)Author: 

Merrill Melnick: She is a sports sociologist and psychologist and examines the athletes behavior in many different types of sports

5) Key Terms: 

Big-Man-On-Campus Syndrome: Since athletes have such high self-esteem, they often feel like they are worshiped on campus. 

The athletic Justice System: this is important because the way athletics are handled often play a role in decisions made by and for athletes.

6)Quotes:

1)    "Because star athletes are held in such high esteem, they frequently find themselves worshipped by their adoring publics. This is no less true on college campuses today where the "big-man-on-campus" syndrome is still intact. It is very easy for star athletes to believe that all women who flirt with them are interested in sex" (33)

2) "The "athletic justice system" may also be part of the etiology ofsexual assault crimes. Athletes' rules are often very different from the rules which govern the campus community or society. Too many athletes believe they can get away with anything, that "coach will take care of things."(33)

3) "In the case of athletic teams, not only do the members play together, they frequently live and eat together. Group loyalty in all-male, small groups is often so strong that sometimes it can override personal integrity. With respect to gang rape, psychologist Bernice Sandler observed, "Group members will do anything to please each other... they are raping for each other." (32)

7) Value: This source is important because it discusses the psychology of the athlete and uses these theories to understand why they are more prone to sexual assault. This is also important because it does a lot bit of comparison between the non-athletes as well.