Male Perpetrator In Domestic Violence Cases

Domestic violence is an issue that is not closely scrutinized when it comes to the athletic community. The media produces double standards by representing the act of domestic violence among athletes differently based on the gender of the perpetrator or the person committing the crime. Although athletes are seen as positive role models they are highly criticized when involved in the act of violence towards their loved ones. However consequences differ according to the athlete’s performance and popularity and more importantly on their gender. The media produces double standards by representing the act of domestic violence among athletes differently based on the gender of the perpetrator or person committing the crime. Domestic violence is defined …show more content…
This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone (Domestic Violence).” As I did I research I kept this definition in mind. First I wanted to look into how the media represents the male perpetrator in domestic violence cases. I also wanted to study the extent to which the media may or may not “crucify” a male athlete for committing domestic violence. In addition to the study of male perpetrators, I studied how the media portrays the female perpetrator and the extent that the media tries to downplay the attack, and even under report it. Hegemonic masculinity directly related to domestic violence cases. Hegemonic masculinity can best be described as the dominant, privileged, and often invisible category of men at any point in history (site). In gender studies we referred to hegemonic masculinity as the belief in the existence of a culturally normative ideal of male behavior. Hegemonic masculinity posits that society strongly encourages men to embody this kind of masculinity. Hegemonic masculinity is said to be marked by a tendency for the male to dominate other males and subordinate …show more content…
When females are the aggressor the media down plays what they did. There is a difference between the approaches the media takes towards domestic violence cases involving male and female athletes. In cases involving a female athlete the media under reports the violence. In Voynov’s cases the words “blood gushing from her head” and “punching her”. While in Solo’s case they used the words “hitting”. Now most people would think that punching is more severe than hitting. Just these simple change in words can make a tremendous difference on how people can portray the acts of violence that they are reading. Solo’s husband was charged arrested on domestic violence charges the day before they were supposed to get married. Some people believe that this could have contributed to her outburst. Domestic violence should not be taken and shown differently between male and female athletes. As I stated in the beginning of my paper, domestic violence is a “pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner (Domestic violence).” Voynov and Solo both had physical and verbal domestic violence. With the media under reporting female athletes, like Solo, it shows that they will not get into as much trouble and put males at a higher risk for being victims of domestic violence. The NHL does not believe that they need to change their code of