Multiple Perspectives and Persepolis

For each domestic violence case, there are two separate perspectives: the abuser and the abused. When discussing domestic violence, it is easy to automatically assume that the abuser is an angry, cold-hearted individual, but that is not always the case. Abusers often start abusing “because of low self-esteem, extreme jealousy, difficulties in regulating anger and other strong emotions,” (Goldsmith 1). It is also very common for abusers to take after those who they look up to and have grown up around. For example, “Studies have found that nearly one half of abusive men grew up in homes where their father or stepfather was an abuser,” (Causes of Domestic Violence 1).  These examples all show how, when one looks at domestic violence from the oppressor’s perspective, one can understand the rationale behind why it occurs and how it can be prevented. Once people understand the psychology behind domestic violence, they can prevent it by taking steps to help the abuser. The abuser also needs help and mental rehabilitation in order to combat their violent mentality, but, if he receives help, he will suspend his violent behavior. This will help domestic violence because when the abuser gets help, he will understand that what he has been doing is wrong and stop doing it.  By looking at domestic violence from the abusers point of view, people can understand why it happens and make steps to stop it and prevent further violence. In the book, Persepolis, the Iranian government attempted to control their people by setting strict laws forbidding citizens to participate in activities that relate to self-indulgence. Similar to how many people look through the perspective of the victim, many countries, including the United States, looked through the government’s perspective and did not consider the citizen’s point of view. Just like people assume the victims are to blame, Americans assumed that all the citizens of Iran were like their government, harboring strict Islamic beliefs. Persepolis allows Americans to look at the citizens from a different perspective, which led them to having a more accurate vision of Iran. For example, Americans thought that all Iranians were radical Muslims who supported the Islamic Regime. Marji’s account of the events revealed the truth about the general population: most people did not support the Islamic Regime; they were, in fact, strongly opposed to the government’s radical beliefs and actions. Because Persepolis provided an alternate viewpoint, people were able to understand the situation with more clarity. When looking at domestic violence through multiple perspectives, it allows people to have a greater understanding of the violation of human rights that is being committed.

 

"Causes of Domestic Violence." Turning Point. Turning Point Inc., 2012. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.< http://www.mchenrycountyturningpoint.org/causes.html>
 

Goldsmith, Toby D. "What Causes Domestic Violence?" Psych Central. Psych Central, 30 Jan. 2013. Web. 17 Dec. 2013.< http://psychcentral.com/lib/what-causes-domestic-violence/000344>.
 

Satrapi, Marjane. Persepolis. France: Pantheon Books, 2003. Web. 2 Jan. 2014.