Most of us abhor any unjustified violence.
We fear the perpetrators of that violence, and seek to avoid any kind of assaults upon ourselves and others. We want to prosecute the ones who commit such acts.
But only about half of violent assaults are committed by strangers.
Do you realize that about half of violent crimes are committed by people who know each other well — by people who have pledged to “love and honor” each other, “in sickness and in health”?
Yesterday at the Chattanooga Rotary Club, General Sessions Court Judge Christie Mahn Sell and District Attorney General Bill Cox emphasized the fact that husbands and wives are involved in about half of society’s violent assaults — one against the other!
When couples get married, they promise to seek what is best for both of them. Many of them conceive children, who need and deserve unquestioning love and support from both parents.
But even if some marriages cannot be perpetual honeymoons, no marriage should ever be “war.”
In daily living, there may be stresses and challenges. Some personalities inevitably conflict. None of us is perfect. We have to make adjustments and accommodations — and both husband and wife should avoid any physical or mental aggression. That is important for the welfare of wives and husbands — and, most of all, for their children.
It is far better just to “call it off,” to “get out of each other’s hair” — and reach — than to physically fight. Neither physical nor mental abuse should be inflicted or suffered.
Sadly, there is much physical battling in some marriages. It may never be known to outsiders. Why do wives and husbands stay together and fight if they can’t live at least in a “truce”?
Sometimes there is economic necessity. So both parties — and their children — suffer. Even if violence occurs, the victim may see “no way out,” emotionally, financially or otherwise.
But there should never be violence within families. Violence should never be tolerated.
Even if some can’t “love and honor,” neither party ever should become a victim of any kind of personal abuse — a victim of marital violence.