Male violence: A social problem that affects everyone!

Male violence: A social problem that affects everyone!

Violence against women is a hot topic that in today's society can no longer be viewed as an exclusive women's problem. In his current article entitled “Men's violence must no longer be a women's problem”, editor Fabian Franz addresses the fact that this form of violence is deeply rooted in toxic patterns of masculinity. According to the article on meinkreis.at, it shows that social expectations and outdated images of women play a crucial role in the fact that many men become violent and often perceive this as “normal”. It is high time to question these toxic structures and make it clear that anything other than men taking responsibility for their own behavior is no longer acceptable.

“16 days against violence against women and girls” is an important campaign period that draws attention to this problem. But Franz warns that such actions are not enough to solve the fundamental problem. What is needed is education, enlightenment and offers of help that encourage men in particular to think about their role. Advocates like Timo Jost, men's advisor at the Mannebüro Zurich, point out that the key to prevention lies in one's own environment. Many women suffer from the violence of their partners, and every tenth minute a woman around the world is murdered by a family member - as horrible as it sounds, these statistics do not leave you indifferent.

Rethink responsibility

In prevention, communication is the be-all and end-all. Jost emphasizes that men must learn to talk openly to one another about their feelings and to question inappropriate behavior. "Does communication take place on an equal level? Is a person taken seriously?" are questions that should be asked in partnerships. If you suspect violence in a relationship, you should not hesitate to address the topic and accompany the affected person to victim counseling centers. These approaches are important not only to solve acute problems, but also to bring about a change in thinking in the long term.

As part of the discussion about toxic masculinity, it is essential to recognize the deep-rooted patriarchal relationships that shape the behavior of many men. According to a report by gwi-boell.de, toxic masculinity is a collective term for destructive male behaviors that harm not only women, but also men themselves. The educator Sebastian Tippe has initiated workshops that sensitize men to feminist issues. However, it becomes clear that real change in the patriarchal environment requires a lot of patience and persistence.

Offers of help and steps for change

A number of contact points are available for those interested in providing assistance. These include:

• 24-Stunden-Frauennotruf: 01/71719
• 24-Stunden-Frauennotruf der Wiener Frauenhäuser: 05 77 22
• Frauenhelpline: 0800/222 555
• Polizeinotruf bei akuter Gewalt: 133 oder 112
• SMS-Hilfsdienst für Gehörlose und Hörbehinderte: 0800/133 133

It takes a collective effort to challenge patriarchal norms and get to the root of toxic masculinity. If men recognize their own role and take an active stand against violence, it will be possible to create a more socially acceptable and just society. Privileges and power relationships must be questioned, and it must be clear: responsibility for violent behavior lies with the perpetrators themselves. Only through joint efforts can we bring about fundamental change.

As Timo Jost summarizes: “Changing the image of masculinity is the key to reducing violence against women.” The challenges are great, but it is in our hands to tackle them. The question is: who is willing to do their part?

For more information and further discussion, see the articles from meinkreis.at, srf.ch as well as gwi-boell.de be visited.