Answer this question: How many times a day do you check your phone or get on the computer?
Multiple times a day is the answer for most people, which means people have the ability to be aware of what is going on in the world.
As technology has immensely improved over the last decade, the media has become more prominent in the daily lives of its viewers. There are endless ways of getting information and news to people all over the world including television, radio, magazines, newspaper, various types of social media and more.
This means the media can “help shape public opinion and can focus public attention or increase public awareness on certain issues," and the issue being referred to is domestic violence.
Multiple studies have focused on how domestic violence is portrayed in the media not only in the present time, but in the past as well.
The results show that domestic violence is often downsized or reported as “isolated” and the victims (mostly women) are blamed for causing the issue. In an article by Cathy Bullock, she states “…it appears that media tend to cover violence against women in ways that obscure questions about male/female power imbalances and reenforce the patriarchal status quo."
Men are usually excused from their actions due to being “different," unable to control their actions or because the women “cause” it because of their own actions.
The media “can affect how teens think about it and act in their own relationships” as well as the rest of the media’s audience. It can also “reflect social and cultural values” that children will grow up learning, whether the values are positive or negative.
In most women’s magazines, they are seen as the submissive, shy, scared victims, and the men are portrayed as being unable to control their emotions. They are told that their purpose in life is to please their man in any way possible.
Women (victims) are held responsible for being abused because they “test their man’s patience” or “set off a trigger,” meaning they do something to irritate or anger men when they “should know” what to avoid.
Women are told they need to run away or leave their spouse and start their life somewhere new, even if they have kids. Women are the victims, yet they are told they need to uproot their lives and move away from their family and friends, and find a new job.
In men’s magazines, abusing women is seen as comical and entertaining. Men think women deserve to be hit or smacked for “purposely” annoying them or doing something they don’t like.
They think they have a right to “put their women in line” by abusing them when they do something wrong.
Domestic violence is often downsized in society and seen as “isolated incidents” most of the time. Most magazines defend men saying they abuse women just because they are angry or made a mistake, but the fact is most domestic violence incidents aren’t isolated.
Most of the time abuse is repeated as a “normal” routine that is accepted by men’s magazines. The magazines don’t encourage men to get help and even say therapy doesn’t help most people.
In women’s magazines, domestic violence is downsized because the women are blamed for becoming victims. Women’s magazines blame women, saying they should be able to “spot” a dangerous man and automatically know what to do in order to not make their spouse mad.
If a woman doesn’t leave her spouse after she is abused. Magazines call these women weak.
Domestic violence is a serious issue that doesn’t get enough of the most effective media coverage.
Oftentimes, domestic violence stories are covered and edited by men, so the issue ends up being the women’s fault.
The media could have a major effect on how society sees domestic violence and help prevent the problem worldwide.
If media coverage of domestic violence was portrayed accurately, people would better understand the signs and what action to take if they become a victim or know one.
