Men Should Not Hit Women?

[The Neo Nerd]

In this enlightened age of gender equality, of which i am a big proponent, is the rule that a man should never hit a women still appropriate?

(Now before all you women get in a tiff i have never hit a women, but then again i've never hit a man either. I have however been assaulted by both a man and a women in a domestic arrangement and have only used enough force to restrain the person till they calmed down )

Considering that men and women are supposed to be equal i feel that this socially perpetuated ban on men hitting women is no longer required.

Let's look at a report from Australia:

Domestic Violence in Australia: Are women and men equally violent?

OK the tables dont want to work so the first percentage is for males and the second percentage is for females. The tables are available on the website

Type of assault % Experiencing this type of assault: Gender difference significant?

Slap, shake or scratch: 5.1% 3.2%
Hit with fist, or with something held in hand or thrown: 4.1% 2.5%
Kicked: 2.1% 1.4%
Any physical assault?
(victim of one or more types of assault shown above): 5.7% 3.7%


Whilst the difference is not statistically significant, it can clearly be seen that men experience more physical violence than women.

Now some people may say that men are stronger than women and can cause more damage, the data indicates otherwise.

Injured, needed first aid: 1.8% 1.2 %
Needed treatment by a doctor or nurse: 1.5% 1.1%
Pain as bad a hitting thumb with a hammer or worse: 1.9% 1.9%
Called the police or other government authority: 1.3% 1.7%

Once again the differences are statistically insignificant, but they are still higher.

Of interest is the comparative differences in reporting rates between men and women.

A couple of things i feel the need to say before i finish this.

a. I am NOT condoning violence of any sort towards men or women.
b. I am aware of the problem with using statistics.
c. I am aware that questionnaires are not bias free.

The purpose of this thread is to promote debate, to get people to consider socially conditioned rules regarding gender roles and violence.

I know this is a very emotive issue, so call me as many names as you like, display your disgust if you like, but if you are going to respond atleast try and add something to the debate.

Thankyou,

-Q

 

[Storm]

I think people shouldn't hit people, except in the context of sports/ martial arts.

That said, if you're going to dish it out, you'd better be able to take it.

 

[Sunstone]

I'd say you don't strike a woman except if absolutely necessary in your or another's defense. Same as you never strike anyone obviously weaker than you except if absolutely necessary in your or another's defense.

 

[Renji]

No one should hit "anyone". (except for some big reason)

 

[Father Heathen]

What I hate is women who abuse this rule and hit a man knowing he won't hit back.

 

[idea]

I agree, no one should hit anyone...

The big tabooo around men not hitting women I think comes from the fact that men are generally larger/stronger than women, so that is usually an unfair advantage... If you look at how many men are in prison for aggressive type actions, I think men are generally more aggressive, and are more prone to be the problem.... although it is true, in some relationships it is the female who abuses the male, and the poor guy will not go to anyone about it because it isn't manly to be beat up by his wife, so they don't admit it... Women are better at emotionally abusing people, men are better at physically abusing ppl.

 

[The Neo Nerd]

I'd say you don't strike a woman except if absolutely necessary in your or another's defense. Same as you never strike anyone obviously weaker than you except if absolutely necessary in your or another's defense.

Where do you stand on "establishing dominance" on a person who repeatedly assaults you.

What about hitting a physically weaker person hard enough to make them think twice about assaulting you again?

-Q

 

[The Neo Nerd]

I agree, no one should hit anyone...

The big tabooo around men not hitting women I think comes from the fact that men are generally larger/stronger than women, so that is usually an unfair advantage... If you look at how many men are in prison for aggressive type actions, I think men are generally more aggressive, and are more prone to be the problem.... although it is true, in some relationships it is the female who abuses the male, and the poor guy will not go to anyone about it because it isn't manly to be beat up by his wife, so they don't admit it... Women are better at emotionally abusing people, men are better at physically abusing ppl.

Yes totally agreed, but the statistics indicate that women are doing appreciable damage to men more often than men are.

 

[Storm]

As I said elsewhere, I had a friend who lost a martial arts tournament because he refused to hit a girl. I thought that was rank chauvanism.

 

[Father Heathen]

As I said elsewhere, I had a friend who lost a martial arts tournament because he refused to hit a girl. I thought that was rank chauvanism.

True, but even if the man strikes back, society is still going to frown upon it. So even if he "won" he still lost.

 

[The Neo Nerd]

As I said elsewhere, I had a friend who lost a martial arts tournament because he refused to hit a girl. I thought that was rank chauvanism.

Yeah that thread was what got me onto this train of thought.

 

[Storm]

True, but even if the man strikes back, society is still going to frown upon it.

Which is wrong, in my book. If someone assaults you, you have every right to defend yourself. By the same standard, that girl had every right to an opponent who would take her seriously.

 

[Storm]

Yeah that thread was what got me onto this train of thought.

I thought it might be.

 

[Father Heathen]

Which is wrong, in my book. If someone assaults you, you have every right to defend yourself. By the same standard, that girl had every right to an opponent who would take her seriously.

I agree.

 

[idea]

I had a brother-in-law that was abused by his wife, really sad situation. There needs to be more support for abused guys, like battered men's shelters, counseling groups, and serious punishment to women and men who abuse those around them.

 

[Madhuri]

Abuse is bad. Men are targeted with this rule largely due to the fact that they are much stronger, physically, and because they tend to be the more violent sex.

But women should not abuse men either. I've known of women who have been physically and emotionally abusive ot their partners and this behaviour should be taken just as seriously.

 

[joea]

Not even a thought of hitting anyone should occur...

 

[Smoke]

In general, I don't think anybody should hit anybody.

However, I would fully support any person of either sex who decided to punch Maggie Gallagher right in the face.

 

[Erebus]

Ideally nobody would hit anybody, but in this world you have to do what it takes to survive. My rule is to only ever hit somebody who hits you first, after that, they're fair game. Having said that though, the only girl who hit me was drunk and so I just caught her wrist when she tried a second time and warned her not to do it again, fortunately, she took the warning. Another male would not have been so lucky, but this is more because I know I'm more likely to get into trouble for fighting back against a girl than any ingrained notion that i shouldn't hit a girl. Survival comes first in my opinion.

 

[Nerthus]

I don't agree with violence, but when it comes to defending yourself I feel you need to do, what you need to do. Although, when it comes to what can be classed as a need to defend oneself, it can become complicated.