Good men were never wife-beaters, and yet there was a time when bad men could get away with it. And at the time, good men were probably skeptical that it happened, not wanting to see it or realize that such shameless men existed.

Today women are empowered to such a degree that they are encouraged to take advantage of men. There are numerous government programs that incentivize divorce, and protect women from its consequences. Exceptions exist but are rare. A divorced man can easily lose kids, assets and income, effectively becoming a wage slave with government complicit in forcibly taking his salary, while simultaneously removing much of what makes life fulfilling. Good women often think that other women couldn't be that evil, but they are wrong. Our government actively encourages women to use men as cash flow accessories.

Most men on this forum are awake to the danger, and many of them woke up after being a victim. Even chivalrous romantic idealists like myself require a lot of cynicism in today's society. Being jaded and cynical is a self-defense mechanism.