So after that shocking lesson today, What is your opinion on the family? Do you believe it oppresses women or is the women's role part of society's functioning? Who's perspective do you most favour and why?
There is a huge amount of information out there about efforts to change the police culture and responses to domestic violence over the last 30 years. This is just the latest article; it is about Northern Ireland, but is very relevant.
I think that the family does oppress women but I most favour the view of a liberal feminist. Women are much more equal within the family now than they ever were in the past however, inequalities within the family still exist. I think domestic violence is a prime example of this. Domestic abuse is much more common towards women which shows how they are viewed as submissive to men or as a mans 'property'. Although the article states that the level of reported domestic violence is at an all time high, this may not mean that more women are being abused than ever before, but that they are more willing to report it. Could this in fact suggest that women are fighting to move towards equality?
I agree with Mia. There is definitely a clear change between this time and 100 years ago. Although this is the case inequality hasn't disappeared but will have improved, in the last 100 years. People are trying to change domestic abuse though. The government and authorities have put lots f money into resources which shows that it can carry one improving and the line between men and women can get narrower.
I agree with all your points, especially that there is a definite change, but I think that the change is more significant than you are making it out to be. Yes, I'm not denying that there is still domestic abuse, but the inequalities within the family such as household chores, childcare, working as well have all improved - domestic violence is one factor that hasn't improved as much as some society would like. I agree with Mia's point that because there are more incidents of domestic abuse being reported, I think it's because women have more confidence in speaking up today because it isn't the norm, it shouldn't be happening where as 100 years ago, it was seen as more of a norm. I don't think it necessarily shows that women are fighting to move towards equality as such, I think it is just that they now feel that they have more support around them and they feel more confident in themselves to speak up. I suppose it could be seen as them fighting for equality, because when they speak up it shows they are individuals, not just a wife, but also because they are trying to make sure it doesn't happen to other women. But is this not what would happen if a man was involved in a domestic abuse incident, if a woman hit him? - wouldn't he report it to the police just as a woman would?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-24713273
ReplyDeleteThere is a huge amount of information out there about efforts to change the police culture and responses to domestic violence over the last 30 years. This is just the latest article; it is about Northern Ireland, but is very relevant.
I think that the family does oppress women but I most favour the view of a liberal feminist. Women are much more equal within the family now than they ever were in the past however, inequalities within the family still exist. I think domestic violence is a prime example of this. Domestic abuse is much more common towards women which shows how they are viewed as submissive to men or as a mans 'property'. Although the article states that the level of reported domestic violence is at an all time high, this may not mean that more women are being abused than ever before, but that they are more willing to report it. Could this in fact suggest that women are fighting to move towards equality?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mia. There is definitely a clear change between this time and 100 years ago. Although this is the case inequality hasn't disappeared but will have improved, in the last 100 years. People are trying to change domestic abuse though. The government and authorities have put lots f money into resources which shows that it can carry one improving and the line between men and women can get narrower.
ReplyDeleteDo you think women will ever be free from oppression within the family though?
ReplyDeleteI agree with all your points, especially that there is a definite change, but I think that the change is more significant than you are making it out to be. Yes, I'm not denying that there is still domestic abuse, but the inequalities within the family such as household chores, childcare, working as well have all improved - domestic violence is one factor that hasn't improved as much as some society would like. I agree with Mia's point that because there are more incidents of domestic abuse being reported, I think it's because women have more confidence in speaking up today because it isn't the norm, it shouldn't be happening where as 100 years ago, it was seen as more of a norm. I don't think it necessarily shows that women are fighting to move towards equality as such, I think it is just that they now feel that they have more support around them and they feel more confident in themselves to speak up. I suppose it could be seen as them fighting for equality, because when they speak up it shows they are individuals, not just a wife, but also because they are trying to make sure it doesn't happen to other women. But is this not what would happen if a man was involved in a domestic abuse incident, if a woman hit him? - wouldn't he report it to the police just as a woman would?
ReplyDelete