Women and men are two parts of the human race. Men are important to society just as women are. However, because of the social structure of many cultures and society, men appear as the dominant, superior sex. This leads to the belief that men must control women, dominate them in order to be seen as 'real men'. Katz explore in his novel the need to remove such belief systems and create gender equality to end violence against women and create a balanced society.Domestic violence is an issue many people face on a daily basis. However, in Katz book, The Macho Paradox, chapter 1 opens the discussion of domestic abuse seen as a common event in the American landscape. "...found that two-thirds of American men say that domestic violence is very or fairly common in the U.S., and in a 2005 national survey...92% of respondents said that family violence is a much bigger problem than people think." (Katz 2) While domestic violence is an issue that has been explored and examined, daily potential violence is something that has not been as observed.

Katz mentions following the initial quote that women have a long mental checklist they have to mentally check off each time they go outside. From carrying mace, to watching what they wear, to never leaving their drink unattended, the never ending list shows the fear women have of coming across a potential moment of violence in their day-to-day lives. This kind of violence shifts from domestic to sexual and gender-based violence against women. Women as a whole have to fear more than men concerning sexual assault, murder attempts and so forth.

The reason women remain hypervigilant according to Katz is because of the numerous and ongoing reports of women raped, assaulted, and killed. These reports on the news and in movies not only makes it seem normal for violence against women to exist, but also is a part of...

With emphasis on sex and misogyny prevalent in most cultures around the world, the consequence then becomes an acceptance and proliferation of violence against women.
For violence against women to end, this women's issue must become a men's issue as well. Katz notes midway in chapter 1 that if men are reprimanded for not aiding in the movement to end violence against women, they become defensive. By including men in the movement and realizing that women are not all angels, men are not all monsters, and making men realize the important ties they have to women (mother, daughter) they can then understand the fight is their fight as well. If men become involved in the movement, laws will be passed, children will be raised to see violence against women is wrong and will make a much longer lasting impact than simply labeling it a women's issue.

Violence against women is often described using passive language. Katz notes in a later chapter the Janet Jackson incident and the failure of reporters to include any reference to Justin Timberlake. Justin Timberlake is the other half of the reason why Janet Jackson bared her bosom to the world. "...he reached across Jackson's gladiator-type bustier and pulled off the fabric covering her right breast. This aspect of the incident was totally overshadowed by the firestorm of controversy about the visual image of her exposed breast." (Katz 109) By using passive language and making it seem like it is the fault of the woman, it removes the responsibility of the man and makes it seem acceptable that this kind of action happened.

Women then become the ones that are responsible for preventing violence against them versus men (the perpetrators).…