As a society, we often talk about domestic violence. Most often, it features men who abuse women. Women speak out incessantly about the many atrocities they have suffered. Unfortunately, I think it is just as common a problem the other direction, only we don't talk about it.
Why? Why is it an expectation that a man may not defend himself against a physically violent woman? What are they supposed to do? Take it? Huge double standard, if you ask me.
First and foremost, men don't feel a need to talk everything to death. Nor are women strong enough to inflict the drastic physical injuries men are capable of; therefore, the abuse is not as visible. Plus, many women know how to play the "victim" in a manner that puts most top-notch actresses to shame. Unfortunately, I have known a few women with these capabilities.
Then there is the issue of ego. It is far more humiliating to be a man whose woman has "smacked" him around. There really ARE a lot of men who will not hit a woman, no matter the circumstances. I figure, as a woman, if you are dumb enough to hit someone much stronger than you, be prepared for what may come back. Chances are, you can't handle it so don't go there.
When a man shows up at work with bruises and cuts, it is an automatic assumption that they were fighting with another man. Maybe it was their significant other who put those marks there. Men can turn it into a bar brawl and be a hero, if only for a moment. Because it is still cool for men -- especially young ones -- to fight.
Do you know any men whose women are violent towards them? I have known a few, some just in passing. I've seen effects of female abuse. It's not so different from a woman who has been abused.
Society needs to quit being blind. Women are abusers, too. No more blaming it completely on the man. After all, it takes two to tango.
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