Rene Denfeld

In the viewpoint that follows, Rene Denfeld argues that feminists have dramatically exaggerated the scope and seriousness of male violence in their attempt to prove that women are “victimized” by men. The “victim mythology” adopted by feminists conveys the message that men will always be predators and women will always be their prey—a message that frightens women and unfairly demonizes men. Denfeld is the author of The New Victorians: A Young Woman’s Challenge to the Old Feminist Order, from which this viewpoint is selected.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What evidence does Denfeld offer to support her view that feminists exaggerate the incidence of violence against women?
2. As stated by Denfeld, how do today’s feminists portray women...