A Comparative Study: Patterns of Violence Against Men and Women

This essay explores the patterns of violence perpetrated by men against both men and women, highlighting the differences in frequency, severity, and reporting. It examines the role of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and feminist theories in understanding these patterns, noting that while violence against women receives more attention, violence against men is often underreported and can have severe mental health consequences, including suicide. The essay emphasizes the importance of addressing gender bias and providing equal support to male victims of violence, advocating for a more equitable approach to understanding and preventing violence across genders. Desklib provides a platform for students to access this essay and other resources to further their understanding of this important topic.

Running head: VIOLENCE AGAINST MEN AND WOMEN
Violence against men and women
Name of the Student:
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Author Note:

1VIOLENCE AGAINST MEN AND WOMEN
Do the patterns of violence by men against men and the patterns of violence by men against
women follow the same trend or pattern?
It can be asserted that given the differences in thought process and sexuality as well as the
psychology associated with males and females, the violence meted out by men towards the two
different genders are different both in form and number. Also, the ever existing attention on
violence against women has stolen significant limelight from males who suffer the consequences
of the same issue.
To illustrate this answer in depth and approach the question under consideration in detail, a more
informed and meticulous research is needed. Violence of any form and performed on any section
of the population is unacceptable and punishable by law. Most studies and cases talk about
violence against women and few against men (Devries et al. 2013). Not only are there
differences in number of crimes but also the nature and type of effect the crime has caused. This
essay focuses on the difference in the patterns of violence between men and women.
Most studies suggest that in the younger years of adolescence, boys are found to be more
aggressive than girls and also impose the same on other boys than girls. With age, the pattern
slightly changes where men find it easier to impose themselves physically on women and lesser
on men (Jewkes, Flood and Lang 2015). It has also been noted that men that report physical
violence as compared to women have less severe wounds than women. It has also been reported
that more women have reported violence than men. This essay tries to explain the cause behind
such assertions.
The Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important theory that brings to light the violence meted
out against men and women who are in a relationship. It has been noticed that though most
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countries have elaborated cases of IPV in women, only some countries have such records for
men (World Health Organization 2013). Studies suggest that the value of this parameter has
increased for men than for women over the past decade. This parameter also highlights how the
pattern of violence against men and women change with changes in race, religion, country and
ethnicity.
The next theory that is crucial with regards to this context is the feminist theory of violence that
gives a detailed and holistic view of the problem of violence meted out against men and women
(Renzetti, Curran and Maier 2012). This theory tends to analyze all the factors leading to
violence unlike patriarchal theories that sum up the overall cause. These theories essentially
suggest that male dominated violence has risen over time and the primary cause behind this is
childhood trauma or a disturbed childhood.
Although most studies reflect the physical injury that men and women face and also highlights
that the number of reported crimes in men is lesser than women, the mental impact of crimes
against men and women cannot be overlooked. Thrice the number men than women commit
suicide for not being able to report. It is very essential therefore for every country to prohibit
gender bias and treat every individual equally and extend help to the male victims.
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References:
Devries, K.M., Mak, J.Y., García-Moreno, C., Petzold, M., Child, J.C., Falder, G., Lim, S.,
Bacchus, L.J., Engell, R.E., Rosenfeld, L. and Pallitto, C., 2013. The global prevalence of
intimate partner violence against women. Science, 340(6140), pp.1527-1528.
Jewkes, R., Flood, M. and Lang, J., 2015. From work with men and boys to changes of social
norms and reduction of inequities in gender relations: a conceptual shift in prevention of violence
against women and girls. The Lancet, 385(9977), pp.1580-1589.
Renzetti, C.M., Curran, D.J. and Maier, S.L., 2012. Women, men, and society.
World Health Organization, 2013. Global and regional estimates of violence against women:
prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence.
World Health Organization.
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