People online have been absolutely raving about the new Netflix show, Maid. Me, being someone who has only finished two TV series my whole life, am not quick to start new shows very easily. Thankfully, my roommate invited me to watch it with her one night, and I was immediately hooked after the first episode. Every episode has had me fighting tears, ready to fight the world, and left in utter disbelief. It made me question how women can ever make it out of the situations in which we see the main character, Alex. It seems as if the whole world is stacked against her, including her own family and friends. It analyzes a major question that I feel many people do not understand well;
Why don’t these women just leave?
For one, many of these women have been emotionally abused to the point that their
self-esteem/sense of self is completely gone. For example, in Maid, one domestic abuse survivor tells Alex that it took her months to remember what her favorite color was. Though this may seem like a small part of life, it can be incredibly debilitating when women are trying to break away from an abusive controlling relationship. Additionally, many abusers take control of all finances, leaving women without any source of income, bank account, or the ability to spend money without their partner’s consent. In Maid, Alex had no car, no money, and little to no contact with others. This form of isolation makes it incredibly dangerous for women to run away, especially with kids.
There is no guarantee of safety for their little ones, food, or shelter. In many cases, women stay in abusive relationships in order to protect their kids. These are just a few reasons that make a huge impact on a woman’s ability to leave an abusive relationship. Netflix’s Maid does an incredible job showing the multifaceted struggles women endure to even begin separating themselves from harmful relationships. I believe it is a wonderfully eye-opening show to the reality of the domestic violence crisis as well as a call to action. More people need to be informed on what domestic violence is, how to look for the signs, how to get help, and the power in reaching out for help. So, I encourage you to watch this show and start having real conversations with those around you. This is an incredibly tough experience that 1 in 3 women endure during their lives, and we must be educated in order to help those who feel trapped in their situations.