Lebron James, Shaq O´Neal, Domestic Violence, and Hope
Steve Kovacs
April 01, 2009
Recently I did an interview with the Executive Director of The Domestic Violence Center in Northeastern Ohio. We discussed the state of affairs regarding domestic violence in Northeastern Ohio and across the United States. This well versed and passionate expert stunned me with statistics of domestic violence in relation to the views of teenagers.
Recently, Chris Brown and Rhianna, the famous boyfriend and girlfriend singers, were the subjects of a domestic violence incident. During a domestic related dispute Chris Brown allegedly beat-up the attractive Rhianna because she apparently disrespected him in some way or another.
Consequently, someone did a study on how young people felt about the incident, and how they felt about domestic violence in general. In brief, approximately 50% of those surveyed felt Rhianna very well might have deserved the beating. The survey further showed about 50% of young people also think women may deserve to be beat-up, punched and roughed up if they do something disrespectful to their male partner. Wow! Fifty percent of these young people felt that as some would say "an old fashion butt kicking is appropriate for women who deserve it!" We have a big problem if young people are gravitating towards that type of thought and behavior. To me the statistics were shocking. I thought that kind of antiquated attitude was certainly no longer commonplace. Apparently, it is more commonplace than I imagined, as this expert also told me domestic abuse is at alarmingly high levels among young people. By young people, I am referring to teenagers. Therefore, the statistics seem to accurately reflect their behavior.
So, how do you change this type of thinking? And how do you change it quickly? I suggest you get role models—huge role models such as the famous and highly respected basketball player Lebron James from the Cleveland Cavaliers and the equally famous Shaq O´Neal of the Phoenix Suns to do well produced public service announcements. Other well-respected celebrities also could be utilized with no bearing on race, color or creed—well-respected role models being the criteria. Importantly, these announcements should be done in a one-on-one personal style to young people. The PSA´s could be on television, in newspapers and billboards.
I do not see another way to make a quick change of opinion and attitude other than having these, or other respected role models communicating with young people. Kids yearn for direction and when they do not get it, they just float around with a sort of half-direction, picked up on the street, music videos or from immature young people. Like it or not, many young people look to superstars for direction and attitudes.
All we need now is a great producer, some funds and a salesperson to convince these role models to help. These celebrities could make an important large-scale difference in so many lives, so much more than basketball could ever offer them. In addition, they´d gain a different level of respect, globally, for standing up for the right thing—that´s what real men do—and these two, as well as so many role models for young people are—real men. Let´s give them the opportunity to help.
Now, is there anyone out there listening who can help? Step right on up.
Recently, Chris Brown and Rhianna, the famous boyfriend and girlfriend singers, were the subjects of a domestic violence incident. During a domestic related dispute Chris Brown allegedly beat-up the attractive Rhianna because she apparently disrespected him in some way or another.
Consequently, someone did a study on how young people felt about the incident, and how they felt about domestic violence in general. In brief, approximately 50% of those surveyed felt Rhianna very well might have deserved the beating. The survey further showed about 50% of young people also think women may deserve to be beat-up, punched and roughed up if they do something disrespectful to their male partner. Wow! Fifty percent of these young people felt that as some would say "an old fashion butt kicking is appropriate for women who deserve it!" We have a big problem if young people are gravitating towards that type of thought and behavior. To me the statistics were shocking. I thought that kind of antiquated attitude was certainly no longer commonplace. Apparently, it is more commonplace than I imagined, as this expert also told me domestic abuse is at alarmingly high levels among young people. By young people, I am referring to teenagers. Therefore, the statistics seem to accurately reflect their behavior.
So, how do you change this type of thinking? And how do you change it quickly? I suggest you get role models—huge role models such as the famous and highly respected basketball player Lebron James from the Cleveland Cavaliers and the equally famous Shaq O´Neal of the Phoenix Suns to do well produced public service announcements. Other well-respected celebrities also could be utilized with no bearing on race, color or creed—well-respected role models being the criteria. Importantly, these announcements should be done in a one-on-one personal style to young people. The PSA´s could be on television, in newspapers and billboards.
I do not see another way to make a quick change of opinion and attitude other than having these, or other respected role models communicating with young people. Kids yearn for direction and when they do not get it, they just float around with a sort of half-direction, picked up on the street, music videos or from immature young people. Like it or not, many young people look to superstars for direction and attitudes.
All we need now is a great producer, some funds and a salesperson to convince these role models to help. These celebrities could make an important large-scale difference in so many lives, so much more than basketball could ever offer them. In addition, they´d gain a different level of respect, globally, for standing up for the right thing—that´s what real men do—and these two, as well as so many role models for young people are—real men. Let´s give them the opportunity to help.
Now, is there anyone out there listening who can help? Step right on up.