Domestic abuse is always a touchy subject. In advertising, it’s usually only depicted for the purpose of spreading awareness, though some agencies do exploit it for shock value or dark comedy. The one common thread in most, if not all, domestic violence campaigns is that the victim is female. By looking at these ads, you would never know that 39% of domestic abuse victims are men. (Each year in the U.S., roughly 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by their partner.)* [1]

So yes, more women are victimized. And regardless of the victim’s gender, men are more often the abusers. 84% of domestic homicides are committed by men. That also means, though, that 1 in 6 domestic homicides are committed by women. [1] Omitting imagery of male victims in the media just gives us one side of the story.

This gallery shows ads and public service announcements depicting domestic violence. While many are effective and creative, none of them address male victimization.

“Verbal abuse can be just as horrific. But you don’t have to suffer in silence. Call the Aware Helpline for advice and support.”

CAMPAIGN: Aware Helpline (Singapore)

“He gave me this on our anniversary. / He gave me this for nothing at all.”

CAMPAIGN: City of Hope (Dubai)

“It happens when nobody is watching.”

CAMPAIGN: Amnesty International (Germany)

“78% of domestic abuse incidents resulting in death occur in the victim’s home.”

CAMPAIGN: Interval House

“Many women bump into the fridge because they didn’t give enough sex.”

CAMPAIGN: Amnesty International

“Mom was reading me a tale, till daddy came back.”

CAMPAIGN: Amnesty International (Chile)

CAMPAIGN: Rise Now

“This Christmas thousands of women will get the same as last year.”

CAMPAIGN: London Centre of Domestic Violence (UK)

“Love that kills. The Cowards Show.”

CAMPAIGN: FES (Chile)

This is one example of exploitation for shock value and dark humor. The sexualization of domestic violence here would also be slammed if released in the U.S.

“Don’t cover up injustice. Speak.”

CAMPAIGN: City of Hope (Dubai)

CAMPAIGN: National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

“When he controls your life, it’s no longer your life.”

CAMPAIGN: CASA (Citizens Against Spousal Abuse)

CAMPAIGN: Shelter From the Storm

“It’s not acceptable to treat a woman like one.”

CAMPAIGN: Coalition Against Domestic Violence

CAMPAIGN: The Family Place

ABC’s recent piece on domestic violence explores this double standard as well:

Sources:

* This is an approximate annual statistic. Data varies per year (e.g. From 1998-2002, 84% of domestic abuse victims were women. See Link #1)
[1] American Bar Association – Commission on Domestic Violence: Key Statistics
[2] AdsoftheWorld.com
[3] AdSneeze.com

TIME Magazine’s October 26th issue featured a special report entitled “The State of the American Woman.” Their new poll suggests the gender gap is closing, especially in the workplace. “In the fallout of the Great Recession,” writes Nancy Gibbs, “what unites men and women matters more than what divides them, as old gender battles fade away.”

America’s sharp economic downturn this year hit men harder than women, and “it’s expected that by the end of the year, for the first time in history, the majority of workers in the U.S. will be women.” TIME’s survey of roughly 3,500 adults (see poll details here) found that “men and women were in broad agreement about what matters most to them; gone is the notion that women’s rise comes at men’s expense.”

Below are some results from their latest poll, occasionally contrasted with data from the early 1970’s. The visual charts and graphs were assembled by Andrea Ford and Deirdre Van Dyk. (Click on images to see a larger view)

Accepting New Gender Roles

“Large majorities, across ages and incomes and ideologies, view women’s growing role in the work force as good for both the economy and society in general. … 84% [of those polled] affirm that husbands and wives negotiate the rules, relationships and responsibilities more than those of earlier generations.” Marriages and partnerships are predominately happy, which can likely be attributed to equality between partners.

Women in the Workplace, Government & Military

More Power Means More Stress

Marriage & Motherhood

Gaps Still Exist

Women might be working against themselves, perhaps prolonging the gender gap in some circumstances:

Why might women have more trouble working under female bosses than men do?

More women feel resented than men feel resentful. Do women feel insecure wielding power in the workplace?

Sharing the Fight for Equality

The commonalities between men and women vastly outweigh the differences, and it’s evident the women’s rights movement has accomplished a lot since the 1970’s. As Gibbs reports, “It’s as though sensible people are too busy to bother bickering about who takes out the garbage or who deserves the corner office; many of the deepest conflicts are now new ones that men and women share.”

Source:

Gibbs, Nancy, with Andrea Ford and Deirdre Van Dyk. “The State of the American Woman: What Women Want Now.” TIME Magazine. 26 October 2009: 25-33

Listed below are some frequently searched terms, with gender stereotypes and sexist phrases underlined in red. This doesn’t mean that the search engine itself is prejudiced, it just serves as a reflection of the sexism still prevalent in our society.

So, women can be either nice or successful, but never both?
Note: “Nice Girls Finish Fat” is a book title

Does that mean husbands can’t be good advisors?

Where did this chair obsession come from?

Note: “Women Fly When Men Aren’t Watching” is a book title.