We were fairly certain that domestic abuse would no longer be tolerated in any capacity, but it turns out there’s still a decent-sized chunk of modern America that deems it acceptable.
According to a new report, “Progress of the World’s Women” (via Alternet), “In the USA, 16 percent of women and men agree that it is sometimes justifiable for a man to beat his wife.” Consider us shocked. The article on this widespread study goes on to say, “Prevalence surveys in the USA show that 22 percent of women have experienced physical violence, and 8 percent have been targeted for sexual violence in their lifetimes.”
Domestic violence wasn’t the only touchy topic highlighted on the report. A few others stood out, as well:
1. Native American women are more than twice as likely as any other race of women to be raped. The problem has to do with jurisdiction. If a non-Native American rapes a woman on a reservation, odds are high the crime will go unpunished. Law enforcement often doesn’t know exactly where their powers lie.
2. The pay gap between men and women is still huge. Men make, on average, for the same services performed 23 percent more than women in the US. It’s even worse for Latinas and black women, though; they make 39 and 48 percent less than white men respectively.
3. Maternity leave is rough on the bank account. The United States is one of the only developed nations across the globe that does not require a paid maternity leave (maternity leave, yes; paid, no) or require paternity leave, period. Via Alternet: “The USA is one of only a few developed countries that do not oblige employers to offer paternity leave, which is proven to help encourage a more equitable division of childcare responsibilities.”
Now, that being said, there’s still plenty of good news for women’s progress. Over the past nearly decade in a half, female numbers in Congress have risen from 11 percent to 17 percent. The Violence Against Women Act has dramatically reduced non-fatal violence between partners—down 48 percent. But it seems with these numbers, women still have a long way to go.
Is domestic violence ever acceptable?