Sexism and Violence

Violence against women is one that is not taken lightly and receives a lot of attention in the public eye.  There are shelters and programs targeted specifically to women who are battered and abused.  The question I find myself asking is "why are these only targets towards women? Why are there not programs such as these for men?"  Is it because violence against men is not as prevalent or is it because it is not talked about as much as violence against women?  I believe that the degree to which women are beaten is more severe than that against men and it receives more attention.  I'm not saying that there aren't programs for men but I am unaware of such programs.  These programs are funded by the government and therefore may view women as being more unstable when it comes to combating the violence against them.  I believe the government feels as though women will struggle financially and emotionally to get help, and therefore are provided assistance.  In the reading "Feminist Movement Against Violence", Hooks emphasizes an idea called "cycle of violence" (p. 119).  This is used to describe violence done by men and it starts in the workplace.  Men who are put down at work, or if their masculinity is tarnished in some way, they may act out at home.  Unfortunately for women, the majority of the time it is women who they are coming home to.  In my opinion in order for men to get their masculinity back, they may act out in a violent way to assert their dominance.  In my opinion there is not justifying this and no reason for men to act out against a woman.  Just because they get berated at work does not mean they can take it out on someone who is there.  It is just another reason men are more violent than women because as a sex they feel as though they need to "assert their dominance" over everyone else.  Couldn't women in power positions go around doing the same thing?  So why don't they?  In my opinion it’s because women have better self and emotional control.