The Dilemma Of Domestic Abuse In Batman, The Animated Series

Over 12 million men and women face abuse by their partners yearly, and of that only about 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men report their abusers and seek help ("NCADV”). The nation taboos domestic abuse, much like the topic of sex and mental illness, which is unfair to victims trying to seek help. However, unlike those topics, the society in which we live in normalizes, and even pokes fun at the dilemma of domestic abuse. Although some will argue that the fact that there are shelters and improvements for victims in the justice system prove the society’s understanding and action for the victims, the society that we live in normalizes the issue because of the situations in television and music, the lack of media coverage, and the leeway that athletes …show more content…
The television show romanticizes the abusive relationship between Harley Quinn and the Joker. The Joker repeatedly belittles and physically abuses Harley in all versions of the Batman Comics, television shows, and movies. The Joker, more than often, pushes and strikes Harley when they are alone and in public. In the worst case, the Joker pushes her out of a window, causing her to lose consciousness. Through all the abuse these character faces, the television show continually makes a joke out of her situation. The animated series is intended for young audiences, which normalizes the abuse that many men and women face on a daily basis by displaying abusers in a humorous, rather than serious light …show more content…
Professional athletes are one of the most popular offenders when it comes to domestic abuse cases, they are also the most televised of offenders. In the last 14 years, there have been 80 arrests among 87 football players. However, it does not stop in the professional leagues, male college athletes make up about 3% of the college’s population, yet contribute to 19% of sexual assaults and 35% of domestic assault on campuses (Shuppe). This has an outcome on our our culture views domestic violence because we glorify these athletes and ignore their long history of violence towards significant others. Professional sport leagues and fans continue to place these athletes on a pedestal by continually being employed, in commercials, and supporters buying their merchandise. Their employers also give them, but a slap on the wrist, only suspending them from playing for an average of two games maximum, if the player does not serve jail time. This is because of the dollar sign over the heads of these athletes, employers would much rather set a terrible example to the youth of our generation than miss out on a pay day