Domestic violence is back in the news and people are jumping on the post/blog bandwagon so I thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in.
My son's friend decided to turn the tables on what was being reported in the media and asked, on Facebook, if a woman was the aggressor, would a man be able to defend himself by "hitting back".
There were many answers. Most were to the tune of a man NEVER hitting a woman. NEVER, under no circumstances, not even in defense.
Those answering the post were both men and women, eclectic in age, ethnicity, religion, and income levels.
My son posted, "My mom taught me that if a woman hits a man, she should expect to be hit by a man."
More comments posted with the same double standard of a man never hitting a woman.
I know that there are many who will disagree with me.
If a man disagrees, it shows that his parents instilled in him that he is to be a gentleman above anything else, whether someone deserves his favor or not. While that's commendable, it's unfair.
If a woman disagrees with me, it shows that her parents gave her a false sense of "ENTITLEMENT" to think that she is allowed to be violent against a man and he cannot retaliate or he is not a man.
I don't mind if my opinion differs from yours but it's not said without understanding the consequences of domestic violence.
I have been a victim of domestic abuse... ONCE. I left the abuser. I'm not a man's punching bag and I don't make excuses for that kind of behavior. It is deplorable.
However, anyone pushing the agenda that "a man should NEVER hit a woman, even in self-defense" is wrong.
Typically, a man is a physical being and a woman is a mental being.
If a woman chooses to cross the line to being physically violent against a man, then a man has every right to use physical violence in return. If a woman takes the low road, a man doesn't have to take the high road.
I'm not saying that his force should be all he can dish out but it should be enough to stop/block her behavior. A man should never hit a woman FIRST.
Let's be honest, in today's modern society, most women aren't the little, petite, fair maiden stereotype. We are physically strong and can do physical harm to a man. Even if a woman is petite or weak, there are hundreds of ways that a woman can physically hurt a man.
Ladies, most of us want to be treated fairly and equally. If you expect to be violent against a man and he isn't allowed to defend himself, you don't want fairness. You want preferential treatment.
Don't think that, somehow, your gender "ENTITLES" you to expect a man to act as gentleman when you are not acting like a lady.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, man or woman, the shame is not yours to bear. It is not your fault. It is the abuser's fault. Seek help and remove yourself from the toxic relationship.
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233
