[Stillness]

I think laying hands on someone in anger this way, constitutes abuse. Just as verbal or mental or emotional. It may be a single incident or ongoing.

I guess I'd have to agree, technically. I just think in terms of a pattern of behavior when someone talks about abuse. I'd also say that words can be just as bad as physical pain. Calling someone stupid is as bad as hitting them, in my opinion.

I'm grateful that we've avoided that kind of stuff until now. I'm too sensitive. I feel like I'd be scarred forever if something like that happened. The one argument we did have was just an angry disagreement - no name-calling, hurtful words, or physical contact.

[amy40]

I'd also say that words can be just as bad as physical pain. Calling someone stupid is as bad as hitting them, in my opinion.

think I've seen contempt listed as a predictor of divorce
so when people fight, if they're calling each other names, putting each other down, chances are it won't last

[atskitty2]

I do agree Still, that a pattern of abuse is more serious than an abusive incident. An incident can be a catalyst for the needed changes, as it seemed to be for them.

[Popcorn&Candy]

A woman can be equally capable of abuse as a man. I do think women have been looked on as the weaker sex, therefore should not be capable of violence. Unfortunately, we all know there are plenty of violent women in prison. Violence is unacceptable: no matter the gender. Equality in any relationship is always vital. And conflict is natural. It is only when aggression and violence are used there is a problem.

[Texasred]

Interesting discussion. I've always felt that absolutely no physical attack is permissible.
My wife struck me once, I warned here never to let it happen again or I'd hit back...
Then once she tried one of her self-defense class moves on me, essentially tried to break one of my fingers; fortunately that move is not quite as effective as advertised, but it left me with a sprain, and I refused to speak to her for a week afterward. But I never struck her.

[WaveRider]

Men as victims of physical abuse of women is a hugely unreported "crime".

In every single case of which i have direct knowledge, calling cops made a bad situation worse. Once government is invited to resolve domestic issues, its dictates become controlling no matter desires of those who were actually involved. Almost always, both parties go to jail which create irreconcilable acrimony. Women have told me that "domestic crisis counselors" have talked them in to pursuing criminal charges when they were most vulnerable to manipulation by outsiders who have had ulterior motives: justifying reason for their existence. Domestic crisis counselors have talked vulnerable women into taking action that destroyed what could have been salvageable relationships.

District attorneys who prosecute domestic violence crimes have very low conviction rates. But by then, irrevocable damage has been done to what could've been salvageable relationships. Men and women see their persecuting partners as vindictive predators, who were pushed into such roles by self-serving domestic violence counselors, and no longer trust them.

[Texasred]

My first wife nearly yielded to her predatory lawyer's recommendations, but she was just too much a thinking person to listen to a lawyer...
Oh, not concerning violence! It had to do with ruinous alimony demands...

[WaveRider]

Google: "Heather Locklear Arrested Domestic Violence."

[WaveRider]

Hi Texasred,

Family law lawyers occupy the bottom rung of lawyer hierarchy. Other lawyers have no respect for family law lawyers. Nearly all family law lawyers have attended bottom tier law schools or non-accredited law schools. Their only option is family law.

Family law lawyers will lie and suborn perjury.

Who would want to earn a living destroying families?

[amy40]

Google: "Heather Locklear Arrested Domestic Violence."

saw that

in our area, see more and more youth (ages14-17) arrested
guess parents are getting hit and calling police on their kids