01 / Animal behavior · 2025
What female bonobo coalitions tell us about power.
Surbeck and colleagues compiled observations spanning roughly three decades across six wild bonobo communities. More frequent female coalitions were associated with greater female power relative to males, including higher rank and more wins in conflicts.
Why it interests us: the findings illustrate how cooperation can matter even where males are generally larger. They offer a perspective on collective power.
What it does not establishThis observational animal study does not prove a method for preventing human sexual violence. It does not make women responsible for stopping abuse. The connection to our solidarity message is an interpretation, not a tested human intervention.
Surbeck et al. · Drivers of female power in bonobos · Communications Biology ↗02 / Social norms · 2003
Men can underestimate other men’s commitment to consent.
Fabiano and colleagues studied students at one U.S. university. Men underestimated peers’ emphasis on consent and willingness to intervene against sexual violence.
Why it matters here: silence may be mistaken for agreement. Making respectful attitudes visible can be part of a broader prevention effort.
What it does not establishThis study is not a census of all men or proof that every peer group is mostly safe. Self-reported attitudes and intentions are not the same as observed behavior or a measured reduction in assaults.
Fabiano et al. · Engaging Men as Social Justice Allies · original paper (PDF) ↗03 / Allyship · 2022 journal issue
Visible action can matter more than reassurance alone.
Across three preregistered studies in STEM-related contexts, De Souza and Schmader found that people underestimated men’s private concerns about gender bias. Correcting perceptions alone did not increase allyship. In a behavioral task, seeing someone confront sexism did increase confrontation.
Our takeaway: show people what speaking up can look like, and encourage them to support others who do it.
Keep the contextThese studies examined responses to sexism, not whether an intervention reduced sexual assault. We should not present them as direct proof of assault prevention.
De Souza & Schmader · The Misjudgment of Men · original paper (PDF) ↗04 / A conversation that inspired action
Breaking Down Patriarchy
A video by Amy McPhie Allebest’s Breaking Down Patriarchy project helped inspire this initiative. It is the creator’s independent work. Our research summaries link to original publications; the video is a starting point for discussion, not a substitute for checking the evidence.
Watch the original video on YouTube ↗No affiliation or endorsement is implied. Videos open only when you choose to visit the external link.
