I am one of many who feels that 2013 is shaping up to be a big year for the Men’s Human Rights Movement. Here’s some happy news I thought I’d share. Apparently Cosmopolitan no longer encourages women to commit domestic violence against their significant others. Let’s give them a big round of applause! Yay!
In this article, Anna Breslaw writes a strong and compassionate message about the reality of female-on-male domestic violence. After reporting on the abuse Evan Peters suffered, allegedly at the hands of Emma Roberts, Breslaw asks:
So just how prevalent is domestic violence against a male partner? Many people are of the opinion that men “can’t be physically abused” the way men “can’t be raped,” because men are generally stronger than and can subsequently overpower women. Incidentally, neither of these are true.
She goes on to cite two studies that note various statistics on male victims of domestic violence. Her sources seem solid, but it would have been even more awesome if she had shared this study as well. Still, I give Breslaw a lot of credit. She’s speaking out about something that few people are willing to. And she concludes her article with this wonderful message:
So don’t forget to pay mind: This does happen, and it needs just as much awareness and prevention as male-on-female domestic assault.
Seriously, three cheers for Anna Breslaw. You seem to be a person who has genuine, heartfelt compassion for victims of DV.
I say this article represents a big step forward for Cosmopolitan, because a couple of years ago they published “10 Things to Do if You Think Your Man Is Cheating.” This article offers modern, empowered women a convenient list of iniquities they can heap upon a man they “think” is cheating. Here’s some choice tips:
7. Invite your friends to a backyard bonfire using his clothes and prized sports equipment as kindling.
Awesome! Theft and property damage! You go girl!
9. Serve up Ex-Lax brownies to give him puh-lenty of time to sit and think about what he’s done.
Poisoning with an OTC medication! Totally fair punishment for a man you think might have cheated on you!
10. Challenge him to a naked wrestling match and whip out your signature move, the Ten-Fingered Ball-Crusher.
Great idea! After all, you’re pretty sure those balls may have gotten busy with someone else. Go ahead and viciously attack your lover based on an intuition. He had it coming, because Patriarchy or something.
But I digress. Let’s hope Cosmopolitan can move forward with this new “Domestic Violence Is Bad” policy.
We believe in you!