Violence
The acceptance of violence in this culture needs to end in order for abuse to stop. Violence in the media is one contributing factor of our acceptance. Women in music videos are usually just presented with no other purpose than to be looked at; only parts of women are shown-they are portrayed as objects and not human beings. When women say "no" it really means "yes." These things all tell males that it is okay to abuse women physically and sexually.

Why does IPV happen?
Intimate partner violence happens for a number of different reasons. Kantor and Straus believe drunkenness and socioeconomic status cause IPV. Cherlin and Berlin argue that abuse happens more frequently to women of lower social status and poverty. The reason women of poverty may experience abuse more often could be due to them reporting it more than women of higher social status's. Kantor and Straus also argue that our culture's acceptance of male dominance and the glorification of violence correlate with intimate partner violence.

Todd M. Moore and Gregory L. Stuart define intimate partner violence as "physical or psychological maltreatment perpetrated by men against women to gain control, power, or authority." The empowerment of women and the essential reshaping of gender relations is what is dependent upon the restraint of intimate partner violence according to feminists.

Most people think of violence as having to be physical, but damage to your psyche can have just as big of an impact on you as physical abuse. If you or someone you know is being abused physically or emotionally, get help immediately. Go to your local women's shelter or contact the police.

Posted By: Amanda Koehn