Quote: bamalamafizzvaj @ November 25 2009, 3:26 PM GMT
I don't think it's a case of people being "thick" because they stay with their abusive partners. They're too scared/ashamed to leave. A lot of the time they've been effectively brainwashed by the abusive partner into thinking they are so worthless they deserve it. Or they've been cut off from family and friends and feel they have nowhere else to go.
Apologies bamalamafizzvaj, I should have subsituted the word 'thick' for weak willed, low self esteem, afraid to be alone and incapable of standing on their own two feet. And that is aimed at both genders - I know plenty of blokes who fall into that category.
In cases of domestic abuse, my feelings are split - there are those who are genuine victims - arranged marriages, culturally taboo, partner takes up drink / drugs, etc. In which case, they should be given all the help and support that is physically possible.
And the 'what the hell is wrong with you?' camp - where the person in question is warned by everyone that loves them - family, friends, even ex-partners - not to go out, live with or marry a certain individual with anti-social, criminal or violent behaviour. Yet, they still do it anyway and cut off any support structure that they might have needed for the future.
Back to the original topic - will teaching children that domestic abuse against women is wrong change anything? Well, let's hope so.