The very thought of domestic violence is chilling. It is something that should never happen. And yet it does, in many homes, in all social classes, with varying frequency. My questions here are very difficult ones- does a single act of violence signal the end of a marriage? Should it? What does a couple need to do to be able to go beyond it? Can they? Is physical violence more demeaning than verbal violence that goes on and on, destroying the victim's self -esteem? There are so many many questions, and no simple answers. So much depends on the earlier nature of the relationship, the perpetrator's genuine remorse and horror at his act, the victim's own assessment of the situation....
A few examples from real life, names obviously changed. After a huge verbal fight, Ria is screaming and threatening to jump off the terrace. Amit catches hold of her arms, but her struggles are violent and the parapet is low. She is in real danger. Amit slaps her hard, and she collapses, trembling, in a heap on the floor, not quite believing that Amit hit her. She has, herself, hit him several times, but since she is a woman she doesn't think of it as abuse. Amit feels terrible about hitting her, but feels that he had no choice. What do you think? This relationship didn't last, despite several attempts at rapprochement.
Manasi and Vinay have been married for a while. Manasi was head over heels in love with Vinay, he perhaps less so. After the initial euphoria faded, he lost interest in Manasi. Since they were staying with his parents, the occasional kitchen dispute would occur, and would add up in Vinay's mind as yet another black mark against Manasi. Gradually his disenchantment with her grew, as did the distance. Manasi tried to do anything she could to gain his attention, including going out with male colleagues in the evening and coming home after having a drink or two.
When 'provoked' by this attention-seeking behaviour, his only response was to hit her. When this became a regular pattern, a heart-broken Manasi went back to her parents, and the couple divorced.
Dipti is deeply ashamed that she actually hit her beloved husband when he kept nagging her to drive when she didn't want to. He thought he was boosting her confidence as a driver, but she was exhausted after a long day and just lost control. She shocked herself with her action, and is still contrite about it, though she has been forgiven long ago.
Ramesh has slapped his wife a couple of times, is grieved about it, but feels helpless at times. She will go on and on and on about whatever is upsetting her (usually his mother) and there is no way she is willing to stop. He is ashamed of his actions, and yet does not know how to deal with the situation. Rani does not feel that she has provoked him- she feels that all she wants is for him to listen to her vent without getting enraged. Neither of them feels that their marriage is over, both of them are trying to learn to communicate without anger, although they know have a long way to go.
Mita remembers her father banging his own head against the wall- that would be the only way her mother would stop ranting when she lost her temper. Although he never raised a hand on his wife, the children would be terrified. Was this a violence on his family? He injured himself, but the entire family was pained.
When a spouse deliberately breaks things to express his/her anger- does this count as domestic violence??? The classic stories cover breaking china and glassware and remote controls, TV screens etc., undoubtedly better than hitting a spouse, but nonetheless damaging. The funniest story I heard about this was when a friend's mother was throwing plates and glassware on the floor and breaking them, and her spouse was handing her things to break. Despite her rage, she would calmly put aside the more valuable items, like the Pyrex dishes, and then take the next proffered plate and smash it.
Many of these couples are perpetuating behaviour they have seen in their own childhood. Some of them recall violent physical fights with their siblings in their childhood, which continue with their spouses in adulthood. Adulthood requires us to control our hands and fists, and yet many of us have smacked our children at some point of time or the other. Smacking , slapping, hitting or punching anyone is not desirable behaviour. Nothing justifies it. But surely a single/occasional episode does not/should not signal the death warrant of a relationship in which both partners are willing to learn and willing to change.
8 comments:
Thought-provoking post, Dipali. Yes, the issue is so complex. Relationships are. And there is no one standard answer. I guess it boils down to, as you say, what has gone before, the actual level of mental and physical abuse, and the mutual feeling of love and trust that a couple share or do not share. There can be no relationship without fights. And people do have different ways of showing rage or frustrations, sometimes physical, childishly so. But there is something different about abuse against the other.
Recognising and identifying something as abuse is the tough bit.
Be a sweetheart and add the badge to this post please? Thanks.
While the first slap might not mean the end of marriage, it definitely indicates the need to work on self and the relationship..
Thought provoking indeed.
Thank You!
These are questions that I too ask. I think it is for the couple to decide on the kind of behavior thet should resort to when differences crop up. To my mind a spouse may express resentment by remaining silent and not talking for weeks. In the case of a couple known to me this happens so very often. The wife and husband have an argument and even if she is right her way of expressing it is wrong. The husband stops talking, the wife feels bad and almost pleads guilty and the husband has his way. She is painted black and the world see her as the bad one. Counseling is an option but it won't help unless he accompanies her which he won't. 10 days in a month they are not on talking terms. She tries to communicate but he remains quiet till he has his way. I feel this is also a form of psychological abuse.
Thought provoking post which have opened up new perspectives to the meaning of violence.I have a wild temper and have smashed my mobile phone a couple of times to express my frustration to the hubby.And I know that it upsets him coz a couple of days later he suggests meditation, books etc to help me with my temper.Will keep this post in mind and try to keep my anger/violence down.
Interesting and valid points. People have different levels of tolerance, some can bear while others cannot. One slap may not signal the end of the relationship but it needs to be addressed and confronted before it becomes a pattern over time. You hit the nail on the head with your last line-both parties should have the willingness to work towards the union. Both needs to be equally committed to investing in the relationship to improve, make it better. More often than not, this is not the case. Very well written.
@Banno: Oh, absolutely. But if there is genuine remorse and learning subsequent to it, perhaps the relationship can flourish again. There are just so many variables at play.
@Sue: True.
@vawawareness: Definitely.
@Hip Grandma: That really feels like sadistic violence, no less brutal for not being physical. Anything that seriously demeans the other is violence in my book.
@bubblecatcher: Do try to stay calm. More than anything else, I think one feels very miserable and guilty after losing one's temper!
@sukanya: Thank you for the encouraging words!
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