Labugana asked this question on 3/21/2000:

In the last few years I have noticed that men have become abusive towards women. It is not only in one race but in all. What is the explanation of this behavior?

drpiano gave this response on 3/30/2000:

There is a great deal of truth in what you write. Yes, while it is true that such things are reported more frequently, and the bad old days of domestic violence silence are starting to end, at the same time, the occurence of domestic violence is, in fact, increasing. Here are the basic reasons for this: (1). Modern life is a great deal more complicated. Where once a man could make a good living without much of an education, today he cannot. This leaves a great many men frustrated, without any way to work through the frustration. (2). The ground rules have changed. All of the imperatives are murky to many men. How does a modern man relate to women, in the day and age of shared power, two paychecks, and fast changing career realities. (3). Violent images in the media, along with bogus portrayals of masculinity, send a message that manliness is always wrapped in an aura of violence. This false image causes many men to think that their problems can be solved with the heavy hand of violence. (4). Modern life, fueled by mass communication, has raised the material expectations of most everyone. Commercial messages reinforce the desire to obtain the very latest in worldly goods. When financial problems arise, or the hopes of aggrandizement do not come to fruition--violence often follows. Violence to society at large (like bank robberies) and domestic violence. (5). The nuclear family has fragmented in many cases, often caused by economic problems, including the lack of parenting that sometimes accompanies the two paycheck family. With this fragmentation, comes an incomplete set of child-raising steps; indeed, many children end up basically raising themselves. Sometimes the resulting loneliness that a child experiences leads to gang membership, which becomes a kind of substitute family. Like as not, criminal behavior, and its associative violence follows. These are just a few of the reasons why violence--especially male violence--is so prevalent in society today. Space does not allow me to toss in chapter and verse. I would, however, urge you to really study this phenomenon. Read widely. Uncover all of the information that you can. Why? Because you asked this question, you are a perceptive person. We need to shed light on this issue throughout this great nation. And it can start with you!

The average rating for this answer is 5.