By Genely Barajas |Staff Writer|
Should the term “never hit a woman” still apply today, when women are fighting for equality in all aspects of life? Or is it sexist?
Approximately 1,500 women are killed each year from domestic violence, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Justice Department.
The U.S. Justice Department also reports that two-thirds of violent attacks on women are committed by someone they know, such as a boyfriend, husband, friend, or family member.
The FBI reports that over two billion men beat their partners, meaning a home can be the most dangerous place for a woman.
An anonymous commenter shared his thoughts on the matter by saying the term no longer applies “due to the fact that [women] want equality, if a woman hits a man with the intention of causing harm she should expect the man to defend himself.”
However, many people disagree because a woman’s stature and strength cannot be compared to that of a man’s.
“It is never okay to hit a woman! Regardless of the circumstances we are powerless when it comes to the strength of a man, but women should also never lay hands on a man. Fighting for equality is like fighting for respect, we both deserve it,” said student Adriana Granillo.
Even if men have been hit, scratched or punched by a woman, they do not report being afraid of her, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey.
No matter who initiates the altercation, women are seven to ten times more likely to end up injured as supposed to men.
The U.S. Department of Justice reports 95 percent of domestic violence victims are women and they are more likely to live in fear.
“I had a boyfriend who was emotionally and physically abusive and that made me feel like I was worthless as a person. Whenever he would come home I would be afraid of what the day would entail,” shared student Alyssa Rodriguez.
Men usually use intimidation and force as a tool to show power and dominance over women said Dr. Susan Hanks, Director of the Family and Violence Institute.
Some men batter because “they are tremendously dependent on the woman and are threatened by any moves on her part toward independence,” continued Dr. Hanks.
Although domestic violence is the most common case, self-defense seems like a convincing argument against the idea that a man should never lay hands on a woman.
86 percent of voters who participated in a “Should Men Hit Women Back” poll conducted by PBS said they would hit a woman as a form of self defense.
However, 14 percent say men should not fight back because they are bigger, stronger and will easily inflict more pain on a woman.
Student Jose Gomez brings up a safe way for men to approach a situation where their being domestically abused.
“The majority of the time a man can diffuse an argument by simply walking away […]” said Gomez.
All in all, the majority of people can agree that violence is never an answer and should be avoided in the first place.
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