Joe #Paterno's Scandal

The Joe Paterno scandal at Penn State has had an enormous amount of media coverage and exposure. The way these events have been told to us through social medias, such as Facebook and Twitter, has greatly influenced the way we look and view the situation.

Social media has created a sort of divide between two rather distinct groups of individuals. Ones who feel that Paterno deserved his punishment for the cover-up, while the other group is angry at the allegations, but somewhat sympathetic towards Paterno and feel he is not to blame. These two groups of people have shaped the events to seem serious, but that there may be a reason to forgive Paterno.

Those who feel Paterno is equally as guilty as Sandusky feel that the punishments issued were not enough. This could be due to many reasons, but the main focus should be on issues of power, media, and deviance. When these three issues are combined quite often there is usually one group who does not get what they want. Paterno’s sterling reputation, roots at Penn State, and lack of direct involvement in the issue at hand forms a type of protective layer around Paterno leading to many of his fans being sympathetic and in support of keeping a coach like Paterno.

Through a feminist lens, we can see a different responsibility for the cover-up. Perhaps the fear of losing the power or dominance that Paterno and Sandusky had as coaches led them to agree on a cover-up story and never speaking of it. Their dominant presence at the school led the staff to support them as well.

As far as personal reactions to the scandal at hand I have a rather strong feeling. Any individual involved with sexual abuse of children, whether they were the perpetrator themselves, or had any knowledge of the event and not reporting it to any law enforcement, should be subject to the furthest extent of punishment by any law or establishment responsible punishing body. The events at Penn State were horrendous and should become a precedent for future similar scandals.

J. Petorella

KIN 338i SEC.6