Pynchme, a plethora of 20 year old references to feminist social constructionist tracts doesn't make your case. Even if they were accurate in their day, that day is not today. Furthermore, a sensible society doesn't make laws that pander to the most fearful of its members - that way lies oppression and authoritarian suppression of individuality. Some call it the "nanny state".

Your mish-mash of Marxism and man-hating would create just such a society - some would argue that the Feminist-dominated Labor Party is already working on it.

Lucy:"I don't see much to recommend this ill-informed article. It lacks insight and is insensitive to both men and women."

I agree. Typical feminist polemic informed by prejudice.

Your own experiences mirror my own in some ways. I left one relationship after just over 5 years because she escalated her violence from slapping me "in jest" to throwing things like ashtrays and plates. The final straw was a cup that hit the edge of a door at head height as I opened it, with the fragments peppering my face and arm, albeit harmlessly. She was upaet because I was late home from work and hadn't called. Emotional retards come from both genders.

Congratulations on managing to maintain a balanced view, but prepare for the barrage of complaints that you're a traitor to your gender.

Wrong Antiseptic, Lucy like everyone here brings different experiences to this forum and has a different view point. Nothing wrong with that, she would most likely get a great deal of sympathy for her experiences so your fanasty of a feminist hit squad attacking Lucy are going to have to be put on hold.

I suspect though that Lucy's empathy with her first violent partner would evaporate some if she found out that he had gone onto other violent relationships and harmed other women, and she would not think that youth would be any sort of excuse if her daughter ended up in a similar relationship with a young man. People can show some tolerance for stuff that happens to them personally that they wouldn't happening to someone else.

I personally didn't think the article was that inflamatory myself. I read it more as a dig about society accepting excuse making. Violence whether from male or female is unacceptable. I do think though that men who want to intimidate people have it above women though. Sadly though, I've had the experience too, of a woman who would have a tantrum of mega proportions if asked by a male co-worker to make coffee for a meeting, in one case particating in what was criminal stalking on me at the instigation of a hostile male. Next reclaim the night rally I hope she has some sense of shame and stays home.