As I switched from one channel to another, I paused at a Gulf station which was discussing family issues. Having just stumbled onto the program, I did not know what was going on until I heard a woman say, “The only way to force him to respect her is to beat him and beat him hard.” The program topic, so I discovered, was husbands who abuse their wives.
There were three people in the studio — a woman presenter, a man and the guest who was the woman who gave the harsh advice. I wondered what kind of woman would suggest such a violent solution.
She was a sociologist and was responding to a question of what an abuse victim should do. Her words were indeed harsh and both presenters were so shocked that they fell silent for a few seconds. The man suggested that her solution was both illogical and impractical since, on the most basic level, it could lead to more violence.
She fired back, accusing him of siding with abusive men. The man desperately tried to explain that violent behavior was not a solution and that for normal family life to prevail, many social customs must change and tolerant attitudes must prevail.
He was actually trying to tell the so-called expert that by offering such a violent alternative she would encourage the victim to add fuel to an already dangerous fire.
This is unfortunately an example of what is being said on family programs. I am not calling on women to be submissive or turn the other cheek whenever faced with violence. If that were the case, many might end up like Rania Al-Baz, the Saudi television presenter who was badly beaten by a husband whose abusive behavior she endured for years.
The advice offered by the sociologist does not represent the right solution which lies in both parties being tolerant of each other. Academics and experts who use the media should be aware that incorrect advice given by them may have a very negative influence on the people and their problems.
