While reading the article "Battering and Physical Abuse" I instantly thought of the music video from the song "Love the Way You Lie" by Eminem and Rihanna (I included the link at the bottom of this blog). The song is about domestic violence and the music video shows an intense example of an unhealthy relationship to put it lightly. The video shows a couple (Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan) who are trapped in an abusive relationship and although the article from the book tells us that women are "5 to 8 times more likely to be victimized by an intimate partner" this music video shows both the man and woman are both contributing to the abuse. The video starts with the couple cuddling in bed and within seconds they are wrestling each other and Megan spits into Dominic's face.
While watching the video and seeing the couple constantly emotionally and physically fight you wonder why doesn't one of them leave the unhealthy relationship? I believe the video does a very good job of showing the cycle of violence that is discussed in the book. The book states "first comes the buildup of tension when violence is brewing, second is the violent episode, and third is the honeymoon phase when men tend to be especially remorseful-- even horrified that they could have done such a thing-- and ask for forgiveness." The couple depicted in the music video goes through these phases multiple times and it appears to be an endless cycle for them. Something triggers off a fight (Megan found a phone number written on Dominic's hand) then they scream at each other until one gets pushed over the edge and commits an act of violence. The couple will be slapping and grabbing each other, and then within moments will be kissing and passionately making out. The honeymoon phase may be a bit overly sexualized in this video but at one point Dominic presents Megan with a teddy bear asking for her forgiveness. The cycle continues on and on and it shows how hard it may be to leave a relationship with someone you love, no matter how physically and emotionally harming it may be.
Fun Fact: I read somewhere awhile ago (when the video first came out) that Megan Fox donated the money she made from the video to a shelter for abused women and children.
Here is the YouTube link to the music video: http://youtu.be/uelHwf8o7_U
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ReplyDeleteIt's very ironic that I just read your blog post because yesterday in class I thought of this music video as well! I totally agree that this video is an exact replica of domestic abuse. I think its very sad if you are in a relationship and are facing these troubles. I know its easier said than done, but if a man ever hit my I would kick his butt to the curb instantly. People need to focus on what they deserve, how valuable they really are, and how much self worth they have before getting into any relationship. If you don't have yourself "figured out", how can you even get into a serious committed relationship with someone else anyway? If a degrades you in anyway, he's not a very good person and chances of him changing is slim to none. I don't know when people started to think that when you LOVE somebody, it was OK to abuse them in anyway. It takes a pretty sick mind to think any kind of abuse is acceptable.
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