Mas
s
transit is the only way a lot of people can commute in urban centers be it for
pleasure or for business. The buses, trains and subways in most metropolises
are often packed during rush hours especially and can become very uncomfortable
for women. Many women have been molested or harassed on mass transit and it is
time to address the problem. Do the two reading tasks below, discuss the issue and write about it.
WHAT IS THE BYSTANDER EFFECT? WATCH AND FIND OUT
The Bystander effect https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB_L8rGMiZ4
ASSAULT ON THE SUBWAY: WHAT CAN A BYSTANDER DO?
“There are ways to intervene that don’t involve
putting yourself in danger”
By: Laura Bliss
Level of Difficulty: **
BEFORE YOU READ
·
Access
the online copy of the text. You will see the link to a video in the second
paragraph of the text titled “30 seconds of the incident”. Watch the video and
explain why you think no one intervened?
·
Explain
what they could have done.
·
What
would you have done?
NOW WATCH THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS
1.
Replace
the phrase “That’s when” at the beginning of paragraph 2 with a phrase from the
text.
2.
For
what two reasons didn’t anyone intervene when Chuva molested Lopez?
3.
Smiley
helped Lopez by……………………..and…………………………However, he made matters worse when……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
4.
According
to Edwards although not intervening in events like the case of Lopez is
completely natural / completely understandable / completely useless /
completely unnatural, there are things that can be done such
as……………………………………………………………………………………..
5.
Which
of the options open to bystanders is least likely to be selected? Why?
6.
What
is the additional advantage of making a noise when witnessing an event like the
case involving Lopez?
7.
In
situations like the case of Lopez, delegating works too because ……………………………
8.
The
authorities in New York have tried to help address issues like the case of
Lopez by……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
9.
How
else could the bystander effect be averted on subways?
10.
Not addressing the problem of harassment and
molestation gives the completely unacceptable message that
………………………………………………………………………………………
WILL WOMEN EVER FEEL COMPLETELY FREE ON MASS TRANSIT?
“Cities trying to boost ridership have a few options but lots of room for
improvement”
By: Ann Friedman
Level of difficulty: **
QUESTIONS
1.
What
conclusion can be drawn from the story of the party goer?
2.
According
to the text working class men / upper class men / working class women / upper
class men are more likely to take public transport because……………………………………………
3.
What
conclusion can we draw from the paragraph beginning “Women who aren’t” ?
·
Public
places are not safe for women
·
Public
transport is not safe for women
·
Women
must avoid public transport
·
Women
should drive the family car
4.
Explain
what “These concerns” in the sentence “These concerns often don’t show up in
surveys of transit riders” refers to.
5.
More
people can’t be persuaded to use mass transit systems at the moment
unless……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6.
The
soaring numbers groping and harassment complaints and arrests in Boston are due
to …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
7.
The
app NextBus is useful because it prevents people from having to……………………………
8.
Gender
segregated subway cars are a stop gap solution because they don’t……………………
WRITING TASK
Use the information in both the
texts you have read to write about the problems women encounter on mass transit
systems and how to address them. When suggesting solutions endeavor to justify
them; say how this solution will help and why it is needed. It is also
suggested that you discuss both short term and long term solutions.
ASSAULT ON THE SUBWAY: WHAT
CAN A BYSTANDER DO? KEY AND TEACHER’S NOTES
This text addresses a worldwide predicament women find themselves in on
mass transit systems: groping, harassment and even assault. Solutions are also
suggested in the text and students can always think of their own too. The
female students will probably have their own stories to tell as well helping to
create more awareness.
1.
When
she fell asleep (head cradled by the Plexiglas divider between her head and the
doorway)
2.
There were a lot of people around them and no
one else intervened.
3.
Capturing
30 seconds of the incident on video and going to the authorities; the video
travelled from his phone to a free porn website, then to Gothamist before going
viral
4.
Completely
understandable; being direct, distracting or delegating
5.
The
direct tack (or being direct); because it is stranger danger
6.
Noise
can be a catalyst for someone else to step in and help in some other way
7.
It
creates momentum
8.
Equipping
cars with intercoms; rolling out platform help points; providing cell service
9.
Equipping
subways with cameras
10.
What’s
happening is socially acceptable enough that none of us will act
WILL WOMEN EVER FEEL COMPLETELY FREE ON MASS TRANSIT? KEY AND TEACHER’S
NOTES
This text provides the necessary background and statistical information
to the previous text and should help with the writing task to come.
1.
Public
spaces especially at night are places where women can’t expect to feel safe
2.
Working
class women; it is the only financially viable option; OR the cost of driving
is getting too high
3.
Public
transport isn’t safe for women
4.
Being
nervous stuck in a subway car with one or two other people and being stuck in a
packed subway car
5.
Widespread
societal problems of harassment and sexism are solved
6.
PSA
and easier ways for women to report harassment and assault
7.
Wait
around for the bus in the cold or sweat it out on a subway platform in the heat
of summer
8.
Address
the big picture (and) concerns women
have with public transit (there is grammar mistake in the original sentence)
