We talk a lot about how child to parent violence and abuse disproportionately affects women – citing the ‘availability’ of mothers because of their particular caring responsibilities, and the societal messages that young people pick up. We talk about more boys than girls, and more young men than young women, using harmful behaviours – and indeed their behaviour being perceived as more harmful, or more likely to bring them to the attention of the police. These are real issues and ones which deserve our attention and our consideration.
We also talk about the sorts of help that ‘parents’ need, rolling up both mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers, female and male carers as if their needs are indistinguishable. But are they? What we don’t talk about enough is the different ways that men and women are impacted by the use of violent or abusive behaviour towards them and / or their partners. Ever since I can remember, we have been raising this as a gap in research. Because women are more numerically impacted, the focus has been on them, as part of a wider pattern of violence against women and girls.
This week Al Coates posted some thoughts on LinkedIn questioning this bias.
A much under considered issue.
Getting Dads to talk is often the first challenge, overcoming shame and guild often the hardest battle. #CCVAB #CPV #AFCCA #parenting
So who will rise to the challenge?! It’s encouraging to see a real growth in interest in research into this issue at both undergraduate and post graduate level. Perhaps it’s time to follow up on this at last!
As always, your thoughts and comments are most welcome.
HOLES IN THE WALL 