Spousal Abuse

There is a couple here who have made the winter miserable for their neighbors. The couple are serious alcoholics and possibly druggies. Way too often the man will beat the woman up and the police are called. Even more often there are public arguments raging between the two combatants which move into the street and disturb or frighten the seniors living nearby. After every altercation the woman returns to her abuser within a day.

I don't know these people because the man works and the woman stays inside her trailer all day. They don't associate with the rest of us and, to be honest, most of us are not interested in forming any kind of friendship with them. But we worry that one day he'll kill her.

Police and psychologists know that the percentage of women who repeatedly return to their abusers is very high. It's been written that the women have had their pride and self-esteem beaten out of them. Deep down they must know their man will never change but they must have hope that they'll survive in the long run.

There are many women who feel that living without a man is impossible. But I have met many women who, like me, are very happy to be on their own and with no intention of ever bringing a man into their lives again. Women really are becoming stronger and less dependent on men to provide for them. I've always stressed to my daughters and granddaughters that they should pursue careers that will support them in the event that their husbands or future husbands fall by the wayside. They have been taught to have respect for themselves and never suffer abuse from anyone. There is nothing sadder than an abused woman who is totally dependant on her abuser.

The only hope I see to eradicate the problem is to preach self-respect to children and teach them the difference between self-respect and selfishness. If we truly understand that every human being, even ourselves, has the right to love and kindness, then we won't accept anything less. If parents can't be relied upon to spread the word then the job falls upon the school teachers.

I'm very proud of the strong women in my family and the strong men they've chosen as mates.