By: Cheryl Smith
I had a conversation with a mother recently because she felt it necessary to teach her two young boys to defend themselves against their female counterparts when these children chose to physically attack them.
I told her we needed to teach our young male children how to de-escalate situations.
Yes, females get out of hand and they need “The Talk.” They must learn that their actions have consequences.
I understand that since they were little boys they were taught and have been trained to not hit females, but they do.
Sadly, the victims of violence by people they know or are in a relationship with continues to rise and the victims are getting younger.
Young people see things at home or on the television screen, and next thing you know, they are mirroring this deviant behavior.
Domestic and family violence includes economic, physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological abuse of children, adults, or elders, according to the National Institute of Health.
We’re talking about unhealthy relationships.
I told this mother that while she can’t teach her two sons how to be men, she can teach them how to treat females. I went further to tell her that we cannot condone physical violence or any other kind.
We must hold everyone ac-countable and even if they have to go to classes or counseling sessions; they must learn how to resolve conflicts amicably or with-out any damage to either party.
We absolutely cannot allow ourselves to get drawn into fights that could become deadly.
Instead we must make sure that we are teaching a behavior that is productive and affirming instead of dysfunctional and possibly deadly.
