In addition, even though laws in the United States and many other countries have become stiffer, there are still many countries around the world that subscribe to archaic and violent practices against women, often with the approval of their religion or beliefs.
The questions that remain unanswered about domestic violence and its long history are many. How has it been allowed to continue so long unchecked? How do men rationalize violence against family members they supposedly "love?" Why did it take until the 1960s and 70s in America to acknowledge there was a problem, and that men ruled the criminal justice system and the prevailing attitudes about domestic violence? Unfortunately, some of these attitudes still exist. Another writer notes, "The law and order movement has attained stringent warrantless arrest rules in the domestic violence context but these rules are often underenforced due to the continuing hesitancy of many police officers to intervene into family relations" (Colker, 2006). All of these questions are difficult to answer and to even comprehend. it's not hard to understand how laws created by men dominated the court system for so long, but it's just difficult to understand how an "enlightened" country like the U.S. could be so backward in some areas like these, and how it went on for so long. it's distressing, and I wonder how many women suffered and died that could have been helped?
As for the physical discipline of children issue, it fits right into the history of domestic violence. Historically, parents have been the most responsible for their children and their children's behavior....
I'm not talking about beating, or even hitting, but a swat on the butt occasionally is necessary to keep at least some children in line. Anything more is physical abuse, and uncalled for. I believe parents should retain the right to punish their child this way, and that the court systems have gone too far in some cases. I don't think that outlawing spanking is a good idea; I think it is too much government where it does not need to be.
A also believe that there are still many patriarchal views in the U.S., and a lot of families are still organized that way. I don't agree with it, and sometimes I think it can be very overdone, but I believe that there are a lot of men (and women) that still view it as traditional and necessary. I think this protects the man from many different aspects of law and domestic violence, and I think we need to change attitudes in this country to make it change. I think that these ideas are too ingrained in a lot of society, and that they may never change for many people.
References
Colker, R. (2006). Marriage mimicry: The law of domestic violence. William and Mary Law Review, 47(6), 1841+.
Goelman, D.M. (2004). Shelter from the storm: Using jurisdictional statutes to protect victims of domestic violence after the violence against women act of 2000. Columbia Journal of Gender and Law, 13(1), 101+.
Shipway, L. (2004). Domestic violence: A handbook for health professionals. New York: Routledge.
