My, What a Guy! Why He's Called "The Beast"

*Spoiler Alert: This Post criticizes a Disney Prince! If you ain't into that, this won't end well for you!*

Tale as old as time: girl marries her abuser.

Dearest Women,
I think we can all relate to Belle - she wants more than the steady income and secure home offered by Gaston. He's selfish, narcissistic, and a chauvinist. He's fabulously handsome, a talented hunter, wealthy (from a small-town perspective,) and popular. While he could keep her sheltered, fed, and clothed, he probably couldn't offer her true love, and he definitely couldn't offer her mental stimulation. She wants a marriage for more than just physical security - just like most women do.

Stockholm Syndrome is Not the same as Love.

I want so badly to have a fairy tale. I want to meet a prince, and fall in love, and SING ABOUT IT (you better believe I want to sing about it.) I totally believe in true love that lasts through time. I guess you could say I want to marry a prince...but NO prince, NO castle, NO magic, NO "fairy tale ending" is worth being abused for. The moment a man hits you, the happy ending goes away, and the man is no longer a prince. 

It's hard to break away. Every woman says she's not the type to stay after the first hit...but then how do so many women end up staying with their abusers? Belle, independent, brilliant Belle, married the man who cut her off from her family, who flew into rages at the drop of a hat (or a flower petal.) He locked her away for hours at a time, tried to starve her into doing what he wanted, and even pushed her down. These are classic signs of a domestic abuser: emotional damage, cutting you off from potential influences, food manipulation, yelling, projecting his rage, and finally physical violence. 

Those of us who are lucky enough to be safe from that, let's not judge too harshly. Those who may be in an abusive relationship: please seek help. Yes, people can change. But don't count on it. If you feel like you are being abused or are in danger of abuse, call 1-800-897- LINK (1-800-897-5465)

My Point:

Women are not condemned to choose between the Gastons and the Adams of the world. "The Lesser of Two Evils" does not apply to our partners in life. We can choose to wait until a truly good person comes along who treats us well. Even being single is better than being abused. Wait for a prince - not just a crown.

Would you choose a pig over a beast?