Domestic violence is not a woman’s only issue. It relates to men as well, and there are Australian domestic violence statistics that back this up. While there are fewer male victims than women, they’re out there, and many don’t speak out due to the mountain of stigmas, which are mental health-based and can cause males to become domestic violence victims.
Men have a specific social expectation of being strong and able to “take it.” Male domestic violence stereotypes are one of the main reasons male victims have difficulty speaking up about their experiences. We started the Spartan Initiative to give male victims a voice and tell them it’s okay; you’re not alone in this fight.
Furthermore, this post will explore some of those stereotypes.
The Media Depiction Of Male Stigmas
While the press and media are meant to be there to spread awareness, there is a particular narrative that they rely on to suppress what should be done so they can keep the “status quo” in check. Mens Line refers to one of these stigmas as The Man Box.
The stereotypes include:
- Self-Sufficiency
- Acting tough
- Physical attractiveness
- Rigid Gender Roles
- Heterosexuality and homophobia
- Hypersexuality
- Aggression and control
The study that was done says that some positive change has occurred, but more needs to be done to continue breaking down those stereotypes. Furthermore, Mens Line says about 70% of men involved in the survey didn’t agree with the stereotypes.
Inside ‘The Man Box’
Like with everything, some outcomes are less than flattering for those men who do not agree with the stigmas attached to ‘The Man Box.’
- The study reveals that 64% had suicidal thoughts
- Also, 55% were involved in some vehicle accident
- While 71% had bullied another person within the current month
Creating A New Temperament In Australian Men
Stereotypes might be changing for Australian men, and it needs to be realised that:
- A sign of strength is asking for help
- Men are allowed to be tough and show vulnerability.
- Men are attractive when they’re authentic.
- Roles of domestic duties should not be a woman’s only job
- A man’s identity should be seen as independent of their gender
- Relationships should be more fulfilling if they’re long-lasting
- Being benevolent will trump the aggression and control factors.
Many men still believe in the negative Man Box stigmas, a third of men, but it looks up for the better. Moreover, the stereotypes are outdated, and many men know this. Finally, more work remains to be done regarding violence against men.
