Domestic violence and women's rights...?

Question

To the people who claim that it is never acceptable for a man to hit a woman, I have a few questions for you.

Is it ever acceptable for a woman to hit a man?
If so, why does it work for women only and not for men?

If a man should suffer the most severe consequences for hitting a woman, should a woman who hits a man also suffer the same consequences?
If not, why is it one way for women and another way for men?

Keep in mind when answering that men and women are considered both by law and by social standards as equal. If you suggest that men and women are not equal, do you support and promote equality for women (voting rights, salary, etc.)?
If so, why the double standard?

For those whose answers are not applicable to the questions, please spare me your opinions.

Answer 1

I have seen PLENTY of women who DELIBERATELY PROVOKE AND INVITE violence upon themselves, and then act like victims when it happens. A good friend told me once about a woman he was seeing who, when they had even a minor tiff, used to say things to him like "Why don't you hit me? I know you want to hit me! C'mon, hit me then!" over and over and OVER...until one day, during a fight, he found himself actually raising his hand to hit her! He didn't follow through, but he knew at that moment he had to END that sick relationship IMMEDIATELY, and he DID!

This was a man who would NEVER hit any woman; I knew him very well! That story really got me thinking, and I began to closely observe the sorry tales of women who were 'victims' of abuse...many of them were not anything like as "INNOCENT" as they claimed! The same went for 'date rape" stories; many women PUT THEMSELVES in a position where they were vulnerable to an unscrupulous man, some deliberately led the guy on and then tried to push him away...the stories are LEGION! The truly "innocent" victim is a relative rarity, unfortunately, and in entirely too many of the cases, women had only THEMSELVES (and their STUPIDITY) to blame! It would be a MUCH different world if women spent more time on the INSIDES of their heads instead of the OUTSIDE.

Answer 2

I believe that yes, we are all equal as human beings. We are all born, we have to survive and then we all die.
To me it's like this, for example, 2 kids are in a playground, one is bigger than the other and is beating up on the smaller kid, is that fair and do you view the smaller kid as not being equal? I personally view the kids as equal it's just that the bigger kid happens to be stronger.
I don't believe in violence and I couldn't imagine hitting anyone.
It is never acceptable for a man to hit a woman or visa versa. Domestic violence is just awful whoever it's happening to. The double standard I see is that when women are the victims of domestic violence and men are the perpetrator, people are sympathetic. When men are the victims of domestic violence and women are the perpetrators, it's not taken seriously. I have known women in my life so far that do believe it's acceptable for a woman to hit a man and what makes it worse is they play on the fact that it's not acceptable for a man to hit a woman. So when they hit a man they do it knowing that the man is more than likely not going to hit her back. I believe if a woman hits a man the man should definitely lay assault charges. Unfortunately men are less likely because they are scared that the authorities won't take them seriously because men are raised to 'take it' or 'just walk away' when a woman hits them. I think it's still ingrained in our society that it should be one way for women and another for men. It's not going to change until people start raising their children to believe that it is wrong to hit 'anyone' whether they be male or female.

Answer 3

No it's just as bad if a woman hits a man.

A woman should suffer the same consequences if the man is smaller than her, weaker than her, financially beholden to her...

In many states domestic violence carries the same consequences no matter who you are and who you are abusing, which is most definately the case in VA.

There is a double standard because most men (not all but most) are physically strong than most women. For example the worse thing that I could do to my husband with my fist might possibly be a bruise. The worst thing that my husband could do to me with his fist would be knock me down, probably knock me out (it might be a stretch to say kill me but certainly with in the realm of possibilities...) So since the possibilities of what could happen as a result are different, the punishment in many places is different.

Answer 4

First, I am generally opposed to violence, so ANY person hitting another is wrong.
Second, IF men and women are viewed equally by law and social standards, then why is violent crime not sentenced equally? The arguments here are academic... law enforcement is what needs to be changed.
I believe that instigating violence should carry a specific punishment, regardless of gender. Acting in self defense, with equal force should be permissible, but acting in self defense with excessive force should be punishable.

It is the ACTION that should be punished, regardless of the gender, race, religion, financial status, etc. of the person committing it.

Answer 5

I can see why society thinks it's generally worse for a man to him a woman than a woman to hit a man-we're generally physically weaker than men. We have a disadvantage.

But that doesn't mean it's fine for a woman to hit a man either.

I don't think the consequences of hitting somebody should be based on gender, but should be based on the damage done. If that woman harmed the man, then yes the consequences should definately be the same as a man harming a woman.

Answer 6

It isn't OK for a woman to hit a man, But I do understand the law will always look at the man first because he is made bigger than a woman and has alot more power to hurt her more, A man can protect himself than a women.
I think they both should suffer the same.

Double standard-- no because a women is not as strong as a men does not mean they are not as smart.

Answer 7

I grew up watching my parents beat each other. my Mom was the worse she would slap, punch, kick my dad and when my dad did the same thing back she would cry "you hit me your a beast " she could not see that she was at fault just as much as he was.

It is NEVER OK to hit a Man and it's NEVER OK to hit a women. look at it this way here we have 2 grown people hitting each other acting like spoiled little children. it is the most stupid thing anyone can do.

And YES if a women hits and does a great deal of damage to a man and YES a women can hurt a man hitting them then she should be given the same sentence as a man. after all you hit someone you better be ready to be hit back. just my 2 cents God Bless

Answer 8

It's not right for anyone to hit anybody but men are stronger and can hurt women a lot worse than a woman can hurt them. Also men are more in control of their emotions than a woman and less likely to be guided by emotion. I don't think men and women are the same and I believe both deserve to be seen as what they are men and women special in their own way with certain abilities.

Answer 9

the only time it is ever acceptable to hit someone is when you are defending yoruself, and even then, extreme force should not be used unless your life is in danger. that goes for both genders.

i think people should be punished by how much damage they inflict on the person being hit and whether they used a weapon or not. that means it will be a case by case basis, and that will also mean that it will most likely appear that men get worse punishment, but only because they tend to be stronger & can inflict more damage.

i do not think that men & women truly are equal. there are areas in which women have disadvantage merely because of their gender (all merits equal) and there are areas in which men have disadvantage merely for their gender.

as to supporting & promoting equality for both, i don't even know how i would begin. the only way i know how to support it is by my actions & my words, and i try to do that to the best of my abilities.

Answer 10

I don't condone violence in any form, so it's not okay for a woman to hit a man, nor is it okay for a man to hit a woman.

And to answer your other questions, the punishment should fit the crime, and to the extent that the victim was victimized by the assault.