"Be a man- Do the right thing!"

Pravin Wadhwani

Whenever I hear the phrase "Be a man- Do the right thing!" I think of a famous sketch from my favourite comedian, Russel Peters. I regret to inform you that there is nothing funny about this article! Why do we live in a macho world where "being a man" implies some form of uber-strength that can't be matched. I firmly believe that the judge of a man's 'manness' is measured by how well he treats women.

One of the saddest news that has come about as a result of lockdowns is the global jump in domestic violence. This was brought to my attention about 2 months ago where I saw a video of a man with a punchbag allegedly showing everyone the best way to beat your wife. Despicable, disgusting, disgraceful. The list of D-words are endless (Yes, I was thinking of "Dickhead")

To all the men who have decided now is a good time to physically abuse their significant others, I pity you. You have been given the gift of spending time with one another at home. Why don't you resort to "Netflix & Chill" instead? Every time I hear a new story involving domestic violence, I am ashamed to call myself a man. 

There is a systemic issue here. From early days we are told that things are "manly" and "not manly." They are often defined by mental and physical strength which as a kid really pissed me off because I had neither. But as you grow old, you learn that it's all bullshit. Everyone should dictate their own version of "manliness" and I pray to God that people stop thinking that their own version of this is expressed through physical abuse of women. 

It's time to stop! It's time to remind yourself that your mother is a woman and the next time you raise your hand to your wife/girlfriend/fuck buddy all you're doing is slapping your mother in the face too. And if you can't fathom that, I suggest you miss and hit yourself in the face.