Our economic condition shapes our actions

Mar 18, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
As I see it, it doesn’t seem to me that we are dealing with this issue of domestic violence in quite a practical and real way. The piece(s) of paper made into law are not by themselves the ultimate and final solution.
A thing that has been embedded in society and in effect has become the unwritten law for an exceedingly long period is not something that can be shooed away through mere legislation, no way-like racism; it sits rigid and stubborn and has to be genuinely worked relentlessly and feverishly to be gradually phased out.
Indeed efforts are being done, but I maintain that we need to address some of the harsh realities that are contributing to the many forms of violence in no small way, and which I think we are slightly, concentrating and knocking ourselves out intellectualizing and even romanticizing the daily life happenings which from all indications are rapidly escalating way beyond people coming forward and speaking out; which though is a positive sign, is far from near the prevention of it.
Why aren’t the people/organisations, the vanguard against the domestic violence movement not seriously addressing the economic condition as it relates principally to the male; unemployment, inadequate wage/salary to provide for family? These things are not wild dreams but real life everyday people situation that is a major cause of violence and dysfunctional homes, of which the majority of working class men are in this category, and I am not saying that this gives legitimacy to their violent behaviour; but how come we can’t see the reason for it happening.
Any man of worth who cannot adequately cater for the wellbeing of his family most certainly feels emasculated, this in turn can lead to strain relations, misunderstanding, conflict among other things, not to mention adultery, which I find many members of the various panels are avoiding.
We witness very frequently the brutalization of children by mothers who vent their anger and frustration on them (children) because of being stressed out, of not being able to make ends meet for basic requirements, as a result of the husband’s inadequate wage/salary. There are many children who do not attend school because there is no money for passage to and from school, breakfast, lunch/snacks, and we don’t seem to pay much mind to that, as related to this matter.
I heard Minister Manickchand saying abused women and children will be taken care of; taken to a safe place and provided for; training and jobs will be provided/found for the women thus empowering her
to restart anew, this is good, especially in situations that are beyond control, and of course all this is done at a cost.
What if efforts are made at prevention before the cure? Why not conduct a survey to locate the vulnerable cases and similar kind of help be given accordingly? Invariably, it is our economic condition that shapes our actions, quite often it is the springboard for the many undesirables happenings in society, of which, violence – in all its forms is one such. As stated before violence just don’t pop up, and while there will be cases where harsh decisions will have to be taken, there are others that can be avoided if we truly target and doctor areas that are potentially explosive and in which case the police/law are often late.
The involvement of various organisations/movements, legislation etc, are all well and good, but all the wonderful erudite discussions, presentations excluding the direct addressing of the economic conditions will be to no avail. We have to take off our rose colour glasses and face this colossal issue fair and square.
Frank Fyffe

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