Men’s Issues

Man’s time on earth, compared with the millions of years the planet has been evolving, is small. Human evolution started slowly; picked up speed in the middle ages and now, hurtles us through time to an unknown destination. Modern technology was man’s idea to make life easier and give people more leisure- time. But today, caught in a race against time in trying to make progress, people spend more time away from their families.

For all the progress man has made with technology, Inwardly he remains the same. He swapped his spear and loincloth for a briefcase and suit; but he remains locked to the same destiny to provide, protect and dominate. This self-programmed role is reflected through history. Men fought wars to protect their families, homeland, religious and political beliefs. The role of hunter and warrior is deeply ingrained in all men.

Men feel their natural role of provider and protecter, is threatened. This undermining of mans self-imposed dominance, is blamed on many things. For some men the threat comes from within the family. Man’s instincts when threatened, are “fight or flight”. It’s been that way since he came down from the trees. In order to make a decision, “stay or run” the enemy must be identified. Man’s reactions to threats haven’t changed for thousands of years.

As with all industrialised countries. Our social behaviour has changed so quickly,some struggle to keep up; others are left behind. Unfortunately most of these social “retards” are male. They seem to lack skills to adapt to a progress that they put in motion. for some,the answer is, “find a scapegoat for their inadequacies,” and mete out their own form of primitive revenge.

Physical acts of violence are not tolerated in today’s society, Offenders are labelled and punished as criminals. A high number of violent crimes in the family home are committed by men. Women’s refuge centres, helping growing numbers of women and children seeking shelter from hostile men, are stretched to the limit. Other community groups piece together shattered families affected by violence. The Police have high call-outs to domestic disputes.

Violence in the family home, is not all physical. Emotional abuse is more insidious. It leaves it’s victims with unseen wounds that seldom heal. Men, who commit this form of violence, may, or may not know the effects it has on their victims. usually, abusers were once victims of abuse. The effect emotional abuse has on children today, is yet to be realised. Victims of emotional abuse are robbed of self esteem and imprisoned in relationships that destroy the soul.