FriendsatLarge Posted September 6, 2006 Posted September 6, 2006 My friends husband shouts at her on a regular basis, I'd like to say at least once or twice a week. I know she finds this upsetting, especially when its done in front of the children. After one argument she said whe was leaving, but he threatened to run off with the children whilst she was at work. Clearly her first concern is for her kids and she is scared to do anything. In the past when she has threatened to leave, he has tried to change his behavior but it always returns after a while, especially when she has become secure again. From what I know of this guy he seems polite and friendly to his friends, i'm told he is a good father. I'm worried that this kind of abuse can lead to physical abuse, but they have been together for 10 years now, so maybe I shouldn't be worried. At what point does normal arguments between couples become abuse?
superconductor Posted September 6, 2006 Posted September 6, 2006 At what point does normal arguments between couples become abuse? It really depends on who you talk to. Some people believe that there is no abuse until one partner strikes the other. Others believe that if you even look cross-eyed at them, they consider that abuse. There are even feminists who insist that any sex not initiated by the woman is rape. The threat to take the children, IMHO, isn't abuse as much as it is an infantile threat. And shouting a couple of times a week is normal in some households. (quick aside: When I was growing up, there was a family down the street where the husband was constantly hollering. He became known in the neighbourhood as "old yeller.") Point is, in a legal sense, abuse is a matter for the police and courts to decide, not neighbours.
Recommended Posts