The following is a point of view that I heard from a female friend.
“Why is NOW commenting on this? They should be commending Ray Rice for treating her as an equal! Hasn’t their message been, over the past 40 years, that not only are women equal to men, they are better then them. Hasn’t the message been that women don’t need men, that they need them like a fish needs a bicycle? That women can do ANYTHING not only as well as a man but better in most cases? Why do these women need protection or chivalry? In fact doesn’t NOW actually believe that chivalry is outdated and patriarchal?” She also asked another question. “ Where was NOW 15 years ago when one of their own, BJ Clinton was accused of raping a woman. When he took advantage of a young intern in the white house? Where was NOW when liberals were demonizing Sarah Palin and Condi Rice? Nowhere to be found! They are hypocrites of the highest order and have zero credibility!”
Now, I agree with her. I am not advocating hitting a woman, I never have or will. But I tell ya, she made some valid points as far as the current culture is concerned. There is also a sub-culture that would have looked down on Ray Rice for allowing his woman to turn him into her “bitch”. Not saying I agree, but we know its true.
Not a popular pov in our society, but it is at least logical.
The notion appears to be that a female should be allowed to slap, punch and kick a man with no thought given to how much she might hurt him, but he is supposed to simply stand there and take it, or at most grapple her so she can’t hurt either of them.
Nobody makes any such claim that a large man must take such abuse without hitting back from a male, no matter how great the disparity in age or size.
Personally, I prefer and try to live by the old and outmoded idea that a man should be a gentleman, and a gentleman never, ever strikes a lady.
OTOH, my Dad taught me that a female who strikes another person without sufficient cause is no lady.
The disparity I find most striking is that between, “Men and women should be treated absolutely equally in all respects.” and “Men should never, ever strike a woman, even when she starts the fight.”
The two POVs are simply not logically consistent.