Domestic Violence

We had role-playing in class yesterday. My role was a mother of three, physically abused by her husband. I personally witnessed abuse once when I was 5 or 6. I just remember our neighbors being in our house, the wife on the floor, and her husband was stepping on her face. I don't remember why they were in our house nor how the situation resolved itself. The husband was a police officer so there could also have been a gun involved. It is just comforting to know that my dad doesn't have it in him to resort to that kind of violence. "Domestic violence" is one of those new terms I learned in college. I credit Mount Holyoke for opening my eyes on how different societies shape how a woman values herself and her thoughts on what her proper place in the world should be. My personal bias is that women should maximize their potential, develop their special skills and talents. We should be independent enough that we don't have to run to someone else everytime we are in a difficult situation. We should also know ourselves well that we can recognize when it is appropriate to get help.