Comments on: “Coaching Boys Into Men” NY Domestic Violence Campaign Seen as “Boybashing” by Men’s Rights Group

By: vintagefan

vintagefan — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:41:12 +0000

I noticed people noticing the ads. If one thing works then it’s the words and the fact does it does catch one’s eye.

By: dianeca

dianeca — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:21:13 +0000

All abuse is wrong, and not all men are abusers. I don’t thnk men or boys should be targeted as ‘the bad guys!’ Thanks for bringing the ad to light, I hadn’t seen it.

By: blackbirdwoja

blackbirdwoja — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:49:29 +0000

I Am A Man,

Actually, yes. If you have 200 (or even several) peer reviewed studies indicating that domestic violence is perpetrated against men as often as it is against women, I would definitely like to read them.

Julie

By: blackbirdwoja

blackbirdwoja — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:33:06 +0000

Jan,

I’m glad you clarified. I was drawing my assumption from the browser head “Men in Abusive Relationships with Women.” I made a correction to my text. Men suffering or recovering from abuse of any kind is under-recognized in our culture. I think you’re doing important work.

Julie

By: blackbirdwoja

blackbirdwoja — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:28:57 +0000

Vintagefan,

I agree that the ads miss the mark a bit. These types of things are always taught better by example than lecture anyway. I think the “eat your vegetables” is meant to convey respecting women as a basic behavior, not a trivial one.

While I have a hard time finding the ads offensive on any level, I do recognize that they could have been better conceived. However, like I wrote about Amnesty’s campaign on FGM, though the campaign itself fell short, any awareness raising was a positive thing.

Julie

By: Jan Brown

Jan Brown — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:35:29 +0000

I would like to correct a statement made above about the Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women. You said, “(Although interestingly, the organization targets heterosexual couples only. Men abused by women.)”
We specialize in offering supportive services to heterosexual males abused by females, however, our services are not targeted to heterosexual couples only. We have and will continue to offer supportive services to all who call our crisis line. Interestingly, since adding the word “Women” to our name in 2005 more female victims of male and female battering call our line.
We have collaborated with agencies that work exclusively to end dv in the LGBT community as well. Unlike many battered women’s programs in the country who tell men, “Sorry we don’t help men,” you will never hear, “Sorry we don’t help women, gay men or transgender individuals come out of our helpline advocates mouths.
Sincerely, Jan Brown

By: vintagefan

vintagefan — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 11:54:54 +0000

I don’t think the ad works, but not from the MRA’s standpoint. It gives the impression that these boys need to be filed up and taught old school catholic teacher style, with some old teacher wagging a finger at them. And the photograph of the kid looks robotic to me. That’s precisely the sort schoolish attitude that brings about revulsion and rebellion in the kids and probably the parents as well. ‘Awaiting instructions’? They’re not helpless mindless robots, they’re individuals and every time they indulge in an act of violence they have a choice not to. And the ‘coaching’ bit as well. I mean aren’t they supposed grow up and be men? Eat your vegetables? How can they put that in the same category as disrespecting women? I think the ad is unimaginative and they can do better.

By: I Am a Man

I Am a Man — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:58:24 +0000

Facts: http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/42/15/31-a

Want 200 more peer reviewed studies? How about the facts from the CDC?