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About Men's Violence
In the past thirty years women have successfully organized, nationally and internationally, to move men's violence against women to the forefront of policy and health concerns. This movement is a part of a broader effort to encompass women's diverse experience and common advancement within a human rights framework.
Men's violence against women includes physical violence—both sexual and non-sexual - verbal, emotional and economic abuse. It is perpetrated through war, enslavement and genocide; in the workplace, the social structure and at large; and in intimate relationships. The focus of Men Stopping Violence is on ending the conditions that enable and perpetuate men’s violence against women with whom they are in intimate relationships.
Men hold sexist beliefs, and these beliefs fuel their choices to assault women with whom they are partnered. Cultural norms and social and institutional practices often promote and act out of those sexist beliefs, allowing men to "get away" with their assaults. Therefore, the work of Men Stopping Violence is social change.
Men's violence against women, serving to keep a specific group (men) dominant over another (women), is one manifestation of a system of hierarchical oppression that also includes racism, classism and heterosexism. As a result, men have different tools available to use against different women -- lesbians and heterosexual women, poor and middle class women, white women and women of color. While the tools may differ, the purpose—power and control—is the same. Thus, justice for women cannot be achieved through ending sexism solely, but will require ending racism, classism, heterosexism and all other forms of oppression.
In the past thirty years women have successfully organized, nationally and internationally, to move men's violence against women to the forefront of policy and health concerns. This movement is a part of a broader effort to encompass women's diverse experience and common advancement within a human rights framework.
Men's violence against women includes physical violence—both sexual and non-sexual - verbal, emotional and economic abuse. It is perpetrated through war, enslavement and genocide; in the workplace, the social structure and at large; and in intimate relationships. The focus of Men Stopping Violence is on ending the conditions that enable and perpetuate men’s violence against women with whom they are in intimate relationships.
Men hold sexist beliefs, and these beliefs fuel their choices to assault women with whom they are partnered. Cultural norms and social and institutional practices often promote and act out of those sexist beliefs, allowing men to "get away" with their assaults. Therefore, the work of Men Stopping Violence is social change.
Men's violence against women, serving to keep a specific group (men) dominant over another (women), is one manifestation of a system of hierarchical oppression that also includes racism, classism and heterosexism. As a result, men have different tools available to use against different women -- lesbians and heterosexual women, poor and middle class women, white women and women of color. While the tools may differ, the purpose—power and control—is the same. Thus, justice for women cannot be achieved through ending sexism solely, but will require ending racism, classism, heterosexism and all other forms of oppression.
Isn't it funny how you can get instant respect from men with your size and demeanor (they don't want any part of a fight with you), yet some women will openly disrespect you, knowing they are protected by the law and societies views from a physical confrontation? Maybe that's the kind of scenario you're speaking of, maybe not. But in any case, it sounds like you realize that you can't give in to your inner desire to escalate the situation to violence. I think it was Nietchze who said "Develop the sense of self that allows freedom from external validation." In other words, build up your confidence and knowledge of yourself to the point where it doesn't matter what others think or say about you. They can insult you, taunt you, berate you, whatever. It won't matter, because deep inside you are aware of your own self worth. Not an easy thing to do for anyone, but that kind of confidence and patience is no doubt the mark of a true warrior.
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