Stalking Youtube...

So, I decided to stalk YouTube today.  I couldn't decide what to focus on, what topic to bring up.

I liked discussing the What Would You Do video I posted yesterday and thought, "hmm, what else is there?"

Thus, the stalking. 

Now, I'm sure many of you know how to use the search function on YouTube.  I decided to make a random pick and when I added "wwyd" into the search bar, imagine my surprise when I spotted "abusive boyfriend" among the choices.

Well, I found my topic.  Which is actually something I find lumped together with Domestic Violence, which is not always the case.  Or at least, not always as it is defined.  What I find especially disheartening is that many victims of abuse find themselves isolated and alone. 

However, in the video the female victim has a number of people willing to come to her defense.  But this is a scenario where the abuse is happening in public.  Who helps her then? Who would be willing to help her? Behind closed doors, the situation is different. 

The abuser has more power, more control.  What does he have to fear his power being undermined or taken from him?  The abused has no reprieve, no relief.  There is no freedom.  There is no choice, merely the illusion of one. 

Anything can happen, anything at all, and the abused would be too dependent and too afraid to resist.  But out in the open, events work differently. 

This is the "expected" norm. Woman abused + public = "HERO HELPERS"!!!

But what if the roles were reversed?

Men are, sadly, not given the same consideration as their female counterparts.

Men are just as vulnerable to abuse. 

The problem is that men are emasculated in our society.  They are taught that it is shameful to be weak.  That, to be anything, but "a man", is to be ridiculed and humiliated.  It is the same as saying "boys should not play with dolls." 

The Double Standard.  At. It's. Finest. 

Men can be hurt.  Women can be hurt.  But why are we concerned only with the latter when both suffer, when both can be victims?

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, consider these sources:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

http://domestic-violence.laws.com/domestic-violence-hotline