A video doing the rounds is shining a light on the new leaders in the fight against domestic violence.
And surprisingly, they’re boys aged six to 11.
An Italian news company called Fanpage conducted a social experiment with boys and girls to highlight the issue of violence against women by men, but instead they proved that these boys, even at such a young age, know exactly how to treat a person.
In the video, which has already garnered over 29 million views, shows a range of boys being introduced to a girl named Martina. They are asked to compliment her, touch her, make her laugh… And then they are told to slap her.
OPINION: “Every time we sing these lyrics, violence against women becomes more mainstream.”
The boys look shocked. They do nothing.
“Slap her HARD,” the cameraman yells.
But they don’t oblige. Because they know it’s wrong.
When they say no, they’re asked why.
‘Why? Cause she’s a girl, I can’t do it.’
‘Because you’re not supposed to hit girls, I don’t want to hurt her.’
‘As the saying goes: ‘Girls shouldn’t be hit, not even with a flower.’
‘I’m against violence.’
Dear advertisers: Violence against women is not sexy.
The final boy looks into the camera and says, “Why? Because I’m a man.”
The video ends on a haunting message – “In the kids’ world, women don’t get hit.”
Chills.
See the video for yourself below.
What did you think of the message? Did it work for you?
Top Comments
This reminded me of a recent 'Get Well' program. A young schoolgirl was being interviewed about what do when being teased by a boy. "Slap him, that's always fun". This was on a well-being lifestyle show, on national television. It's not only the boys that need educating. When violence against boys is being advocated on television, and with zero response, you know we have a long way to go. How much would domestic violence plummet if the girls were to be educated too?
Actually, what girls should be saying to boys when they tease her is:
When you get older, remember that some girls will only have sex with you because some mothers tell us to appreciate the "little" things in life! While pointing at his groin.
1. These are children, not 'little men' as they 'affectionately' call them. Ascribing adult characteristics
to a person that is developing physically and mentally is unethical and creepy, particularly when it comes to providing social commentary on violence (ostensibly violence against women *see point 5)
2. These children are sexualised in the video - perhaps to point out their innocence - still, it sounds like exploitation
3.It's not okay to hit her, but it's okay to touch her inappropriately because someone OTHER THAN HER gave you permission to? What message does that send?
4. It simplifies a very complex issue - violence (domestic, street, etc, etc).
5.I'm weary of seeing these one-sided videos that reinforces gender
stereotypes. In developed countries women can be just as violent as men,
to men, other women and children, so any social message/commentary
should be about not being violent to anyone, not just because they are
women. The current message reinforces a message that women are weak and
unequal and need to be saved by men - this leads to gender stereotypes
that can impact women in other areas of life.