VIOLENCE
Women and children violence has been the main obstacle towards happy families in the current. However, it is an act that has been going on for many years. It is unfortunate when you see a mother and a child being beaten up by the husband or a boyfriend. The worst thing that happens in families that experience violence, is a child watching the mother being beaten by the father. I guess this is the main reason why I chose to become a social worker because the victims that go through violent experiences need a voice. The act of violence usually affects the victims physically, socially, and emotionally; therefore, the need for various sectors to support the victims (Murakami). There is a need for the society to create the mentality in the little girls that it is not right for a man to beat her. In doing so, they will grow up knowing their rights. The young boys should also know beating a woman is a crime, and it goes against human rights. They are the future, and they should create a society free of violence. If we can get one less person of the streets that hurt or kill a child or woman, the world would be a better place—the dream society where men don’t mercilessly harm innocent women and children depriving them of their fundamental rights.
The violence against women and children can usually be seen in different forms. They include sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment, early and forced marriage, and sex trafficking (Vachss, 1993). The violence that women go through is usually linked to the inequality they face along their lives from being a child until they are grown up. Certain cultural practices have been the primary cause of such violence against women and children (Violence against women). The perpetrators usually believe that violence towards the affected group is normal behavior, and the worst thing is supported by society. Hence, culture is a significant problem in fighting such crimes, and it is usually seen as if it is the society that promotes such violence. The effect of violence against women is something that is being experienced globally, hence the rise of associations for protecting the rights of women and children. The fact is, “35 percent of women will experience violence at the hands of their current or former partners in their lifetime, up to 70 percent according to some national studies.” Violence against women and children usually divide the communities we live in, making it hard for people to coexist. Therefore, affecting the development efforts and building of peaceful and just societies that believe inequality. It later causes poverty, hence exposing the women and children to poverty, which is the leading cause of violence, and they end up lacking an option out when such violence happens to them. Gender equality will be essential for a better tomorrow.
The artifacts under discussion are the song Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and the movie What’s Love Got to Do with It (Tine Turner story). The artifacts portray the issue of violence and how the affected parties can come out from such problems. The primary artifact aim is to inform the audience of the effect and how to handle the issue of violence. Through the song, the audience she now reaches are children and even grandchildren of her original fans. Her music has inspired so many artists that we now know and often love times Beyoncé credits the work of Turner. Turner’s music helped to shape not only American culture but worldwide. Her music is still featured in commercials, movies, etc. today. Tina Turner is still relevant today as much as she was fifty years ago. Her music will forever live and be popular.
What’s Love Got to do With It is a movie that depicted the rise to fame of Tina Turner. Throughout the film, the audience experiences drug use, money, power, domestic abuse, as well as abandonment. In America, citizens are allowed to listen to as well as watch whatever they enjoy. Some countries do not allow women to have the same rights as well as roles as women. So, a woman in the capacity of Tina Turner would not be entitled (“Tina Turner.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 2020). A woman in certain countries are taught that their husband is their superior, and they are to stay with him regardless of how he treats her. In this film, Tina leaves her abusive husband and begins a new life for her. Some would think this would empower women who aren’t allowed to behave like this to leave their husbands. However, It is essential to give women in violent environments on what to do whenever they are faced with the same issues.
Music has been the foundation of American culture for decades. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” as well as “What’s Love Got to Do with It” have a contribution to this as well. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough was recorded by Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell in 1967. The song was produced by Motown records and was available on record in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Ireland. In third world countries, this music was not available. Therefore these people did not have exposure. During the sixties, a lot of countries did not have access to American music, movies, or culture. Some countries even banned American music. Therefore, by then, the time music or movies would be available, people would not experience the original. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough was remade by Diana Ross as well as The Temptations. Both versions touched many but were not accessible to all. Due to modern-day technology, this, as well as a lot of music, is readily available via Apple iTunes, Pandora, Spotify, and Android music.
According to Luxton (2013), four billion people still don’t have access to the internet. Third world countries don’t have buildings equipped with electricity or 3G network. Some countries that do have access to internet browsing is limited because of the government. The issues that arise from streaming music today involve paying money for it, access to the internet, and reliable cellular service. In many countries, there is no Wi-Fi, mobile data service, or any way to stream music. For instance, certain parts of the Philippines do not have running water nor electricity. Therefore, they would not have access to modern as well as music and movies of the past. The circumstances they encounter do not allow them access to modern-day amenities we can enjoy. In many parts of Africa, many people live in poverty, hence making it hard for them even to afford basic communication resources. It makes it hard for them to get the necessary information about violence towards women.
In a scene in the movie under discussion, Laurence Fishburne, who portrays Ike Turner is seen shoving a piece of cake into the face of Tina Turner portrayed by Angela Bassett. Violence, especially towards women, is an issue that has been around forever. Women have taken hits and punches from men all because the man feels entitled to put their hands-on women. However, abuse towards women is a trait that is usually learned from the behaviors of fathers, grandfathers, uncles. Young men grow up seeing the prominent men in their lives, beating on their wives and think that it is okay. It is not! Generational curses have got to stop. To move on in the future, violence, especially towards women, has to stop.
While viewers are watching What’s Love Got to do With It, they witness the abuse that Tina Turner faced every day. Tina suffered from busted lips, blackened eyes, and countless blows from the hands of her husband. Often, women feel that they cannot leave an abusive relationship because of their kids, or for their wellbeing. This is not right. No one should stay in a relationship in which they are being abused. Not to mention in front of their children. To reiterate what was discussed before, abuse can be learned. There is a scene in the movie in which Tina is beaten, and her children witnessed this. Parents are a child’s first teacher, and whatever a parent instills into their child/children is what a child will grow and thrive on. Instilling violence into a child is not the answer.
However, there are a lot of women that do not want to leave. They do not want to leave because they fear to be alone, scared, being a single parent, that they have nowhere to go. Some women are not as bold and brave as Tina is to get out. When Tina left, she had a new outlook on life. Was she scared? Of course, she was, but she did not let fear stop her from making a decision. When Tina took that first step and decided that she was done, she left and never came back. There were several attempts shown in the movie in which Tina tried to leave, but Ike always ended up finding her. Tina prospered and has lived her best life since leaving then divorcing Ike. She is happily married and living her life happily with her new husband. Women do not have to be subject to abuse. They deserve better than violence, at utmost peace.
The popular culture artifacts connect with the personal value of creativity—the use of original ideas in creating something that can educate. Therefore, enabling people to have a better understanding of the issues that affect them. The use of movies and music effectively teaches as much as it is a source of entertainment. It also promotes learning; hence people gain the necessary knowledge and being able to avoid cases of violence.
In conclusion, violence against women and children should be condemned by all means. They deserve a happy life where they are appreciated and protected from being harmed. Men who are the main source of abuse should be educated on the rights of women. The society should be stopped from believing in cultures that have no place in the current era. Artifacts such as movies and songs are very instrumental as a medium of educating the various audience on the need to stop the violence. Even though the challenge of connectivity may be experienced, limiting the use of the artifacts. Necessary authorities should make sure people have the essential resources enabling easy connectivity. We should create a society that believes in protecting the rights and stopping violence against women
References
Luxton.E (2018) https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/05/4-billion-people-still-don-t-have-internet-access-here-s-how-to-connect-them
Murakami, Haruki. “Domestic Violence Quotes (271 Quotes).” Goodreads, Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/domestic-violence.
Vachss, A. S. (1993). Sex crimes: battling the gang rape of American women and children. New York: Random House.
Violence against women; studies from L.M. tutty and co-researchers in the area of violence against women reported. (2014, Mar 06). Women’s Health Weekly Retrieved from https://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.proquest.com%2Fdocview%2F1501880749%3Fa.
“Tina Turner.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, Jan 15Jan 15 2020, www.biography.com/musician/tina-turner.