Battered men presentation
- 1. Battered MenPatrisha MartinSociology, Gender Rolessmh.com.auhome.comcast.net
- 2. Interests in this TopicMen are victims toThere is not enough information on this topic that there should beEveryone needs to be aware
- 3. BackgroundIt was not recognized until the mid 1970’s that men are abused.Studies done are not very accurate. Due to that men do not speak about their abuse.A survey done with 8,000 men found that 7% of them were/are abused by their wives. Only .8% even reported it.
- 4. BackgroundMen do not report it due to them being embarrassed. They do not want to be known as wimps.There is not even half as many domestic help lines for men as there is women.Society only focuses on the abused women.
- 5. HypothesisBattered men undergo humiliation in our society and for this they suffer for the reason that they cannot speak up about this issue that does occur.
- 6. Methods and ProceduresThe first study involved 32 participants ages ranging between 18 through 57.The second study involved interviewing two men who suffer from abuse.
- 7. Survey QuestionsAre you female or male? What is your age? Do you believe our society is gendered?What is the first thing with you think of when you here abuse?Do you think that men can be victims? Do you know of any man who has been battered? If so, do they seek help or have tried to get help? In the media have you heard of abuse lines for women? What about men? After thinking about men being abused do you think that there is enough information about battered men? If you knew of a male being abused would you help?Do you believe society impacts if a man can speak up about being abused? Do you have any other opinions that you would like to make a note of?
- 8. ResultsThere were 17 men who and 15 women who participated.I separated each survey by male/female and compared their answers.The answers to the questions were not what I expected would be at all.Examples: Only 6 men and 8 women think that our society is gendered. More men think that men can be victims than women did.Only 5 women think that there is not enough information about abused men.
- 9. Cont.Some opinions they wrote were:I really didn’t even think that men could be abused. It is hard for me to still believe. - 23 malePersonally I do not think that men can be abused. That makes them a sissy. - 43 maleIt is sad that men get abused and it is not talked about anywhere. At least I have never heard anything about it. – 36 femaleI wonder when this subject is ever going to be talked about. – 27 female
- 10. Second Study-First InterviewWhat is your age? I am 56 years old.What kind of abuse have you experienced?I have experienced abuse in the forms of financially, verbally, and emotionally.She gets all my money that I receive every month, calls me horrible names and talks badly about me to everyone and anyone. How long have you been or started to notice the abuse?It has been since we moved to Harstine Island that was about 8 years ago. But it started getting worse when your great grandfather passed away and that was one year ago. Are you still in the relationship with your abuser?I am currently still married and have not left. Sadly in some cases I stay by her side. Have you ever had to call the police?I have never been physically abused so I do not feel the need to call the police. And honestly if it came to the point of her physically assaulting me I would more than likely not call the police.Has it been so bad you that you had to visit a doctor?Again I have not had to deal with physical abuse so I have not seen a doctor about it.
- 11. Cont. Why don’t you leave?I feel like I cannot leave. I couldn’t leave the family. My head says that I should leave becauseI know what is happening to me but my heart says it will get better. Do you think if the abuse worsens you would or could leave?I truthfully cannot say right now. I try to look at it day by day.Have you ever tried getting help like for example counseling?I have not tried counseling but I have been reading self help books to try to help me get through.Do you have anyone you can talk to about what you’re dealing with if not?I can talk and have talked to you, your mom, your dad, and your aunt Katie. What else have you done to cope with the abuse?I like to get out of the house and garden or sit outside and look at the nice view. I try tothink of the good things in life and again think that it will eventually change. What about calling a domestic violence help line for men?I never really thought about it. I grew up with a dad who taught us we needed to be men.We do not show our feelings. I show love and care about everyone but to show that I am hurt is not how I was brought up. Is there anything else you would like to add?I am glad that you are doing this. It is a good chance for people to understand that men are abused andnot just physically. More individuals in society should be open minded about this topic.
- 12. Second Study-Second InterviewWhat is your age?I just turned 23 a month ago.What kind of abuse have you experienced?I suffer from physical abuse by my girlfriend. How long have you been or started to notice the abuse?I have been in the relationship with my girlfriend for two years and it started happening 6 monthsinto us being together. Are you still in the relationship with your abuser?Yes I am still with her.What kind of abuse have you experienced?She has thrown silverware, cleaning supplies, and candles at me. I have gotten punched in the head and suffered from a headache for 3 days due to it. I have been called every name in the book. If I do something wrong she tells me that I am worthless and stupid. Have you ever had to call the police?I have called the police but they do not do anything about it. I tried to explain to them that I amabused but she tells them that she is defending herself when I have never once hurt her verbally or physically. The last time I called when the cops came they actually laughed at me. So I have not called them again to try to get help.
- 13. Cont.Has it been so bad you that you had to visit a doctor?I have gone to the doctor a couple times. One of the times when she threw a plate at me it broke while hitting me and cut my arm and had to get stitches but I lied to the doctor and told him that it happened while working on my deck. The other time she hit me in thehead with her fist so hard that I ended up having a concussion and again lied and toldthe doctor I was at work and stood up hitting my head really hard on a beam. Why don’t you leave?I have tried and sometimes wanted to leave but I love her so much and feel that maybe we can get through this and her being abusive will pass. Do you think if the abuse worsens you would or could leave?I would leave but if I did I think it wouldn’t last long and I would come back to her. Have you ever tried getting help like for example counseling?We have attended counseling together but it rarely helps. I can’t say anything about howI feel or when we get in the car she will freak out.Do you have anyone you can talk to about what you’re dealing with if not?I have learned to handle it on my own. My close friends know what happens but they do not know what all goes down.
- 14. Cont.What else have you done to cope with the abuse?I keep a journal and write my thoughts and feelings on it. What about calling a domestic violence help line for men?I have never heard of anything like that. I might call to talk about it, but it would cause a massive fight if she found out I was calling or looking for a help line. Is there anything else you would like to add?I really thank you for doing this interview. It has helped me a lot. I have never opened up to anyone this much about what goes on andit has been nice to get things off my chest. I think that the world show know more about men being abused because I am proof that it does happen.
- 15. ResultsIt was very interesting to compare these two men’s interview. They both suffer from abuse but two different kinds. The 56 year old man suffers from emotional and financial abuse. While the 23 year old man suffers from physical and verbal abuse. It is really upsetting to me because I know both of these men. The 56 year old man is my papa and the 23 year old man is one of my really good friends. I never really got to know all the issues they have gone through till now.
- 16. ConclusionDoing this study was a big eye opener to me. It really goes to show that society does have somewhat of an impact on men. I wish it didn’t because a lot of men would be able to get the help they need if they didn’t feel like they would be wimps if they spoke up. I plan on joining a support group to help men be able to gain the courage to stand up and fight society and not being so gendered. And finally let men have a say. Men need more support to help guide them through this stage in their life. Society should open their eyes and see it does affect people’s lives every day.
- 17. CitationsChristopher F Barber (2008) Domestic violence against men. Nursing Standard. 22, 51, 35-39. Retrieved from Ebsco database. MENSIGHT Magazine-Part 1: Husband Abuse DisclosedMaxine Marz (2004) Retrieved August 12, 2010 from http://mensightmagazine.com/Articles/Marz/marz1.htm Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence- Phillip CookPhillip W. Cook (1997) Abused Men: The Hidden Side of Domestic Violence, Praeger Publisher Online Article-Psychological Effects of Partner Abuse Against Men: A Neglected Research AreaDenise A. Hines and Kathleen Malley-Morrison, Boston University. Psychology of Men & Masculinity 2001, Vol. 2, No. 2, p. 75-85 Retrieved August 11, 2010 from http://www.fact.on.ca/Info/dom/hines01.htm