50 responses to “Flash Fiction Friday – The Blame Game”

1. 

   Gloria

   Sep 2, 2022

   Good one Hugh. A male character in my novel suffers from domestic abuse. 50’s/60s era, so definitely not something that was spoken about.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Sep 2, 2022

      Thank you. It’s still something that many men won’t talk about, Gloria. It seems very little progress has been made.

      Reply
2. 

   Linda Schaub

   Sep 2, 2022

   I’m pretty sure that many people never heard of women abusing men until the Depp/Heard trial, which likely enlightened quite a few people, even though it was difficult to sort out who was abusing who at times.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Sep 2, 2022

      It’s still a very hash-hash subject with men, Linda. Many men who are victims of domestic abuse think that talking about it or asking for help will somehow make them less of a man. Whereas many would be only too willing to help a male colleague who was a victim.

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      1. 

         Linda Schaub

         Sep 3, 2022

         That’s interesting Hugh. Our society makes too much of setting standards for both males and females. You cannot peg people into tidy little categories. It is too bad that more men who suffer domestic abuse do not reach out for professional help and only feel safe telling their peers (and at that some peers as it makes them less of a man).

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         1. 

            Hugh W. Roberts

            Sep 3, 2022

            The phrase ‘you need to man up’, is one of the most unhelpful and sad phrases I know, Linda.

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            1. 

               Linda Schaub

               Sep 3, 2022

               Agreed Hugh. Over here, you hear it all the time with “hazing” incidents for initiation into fraternities as well. Those who do not pass muster (muster being manliness for being able to do silly feats to get into the fraternity). It extends all the way to the military – a Navy Seal in training was killed as the criteria set the bar higher than he was able to perform – some feat of supposed manliness cost that young man his life. I feel sorry for young men who fathers push them to go into sport – they do it or risk the father’s exhibiting disgust with his offspring. People are so transparent sometimes and all to quick to label what is the definition of being a man.

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3. 

   D. Avery @shiftnshake

   Sep 1, 2022

   Men usually don’t admit to spousal abuse and so it is underreported and misunderstood. This is another kind of twist, Hugh. Well done.

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   1. 

      Hugh W. Roberts

      Sep 2, 2022

      Thank you, D. And you’re right about most men not admitting to being victims of domestic abuse. Somehow they feel ashamed about it and believe it makes them less of a man. However, many would be willing to help a male colleague who was a victim of domestic abuse.

      Reply