Discussion and Controversy: The Debut of the "Love the Way You Lie" Video by Eminem Feat. Rihanna

The song Love the Way You Lie by Eminem featuring Rihanna has been all over the radio for quite some time. The recently released video starring Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan has caused some debate over the sensitive subject matter of domestic violence. Both Eminem and Rihanna have experienced domestic violence in their lives.

The video, which you can see here on YouTube, is not for the weak. It shows the extremely volatile relationship between the couple, played by Fox and Monaghan. It shows the back and forth of the relationship, the good and the bad, the very high and the very low. There's a large amount of violence in the video, from Monaghan's fist going through a wall to Fox having a black eye. It is made painfully obvious throughout the video how unhealthy the relationship is and how damaging domestic violence can be.

While some people condemn the video, for some this is unfortunately a fact of every day life and no amount of hiding it can change that fact. As someone who has been personally hit before, sweeping it under the rug does nothing about this subject, talking about it does. Making the situation real to women and men can help to change the way relationships work. The Love the Way You Lie video can actually be used as a teaching tool.

When parents sit down to talk to teens about domestic violence and abusive relationships, some are probably met with an exasperated sigh followed by "I knowwwww about this already! Jeez!". Watching the Love the Way You Lie video with your teen can be a starting point for a conversation and a chance to have the convo before their first real relationship starts. It is also a good opportunity to explain that a toxic relationship may be emotional and not necessarily physical. Abuse doesn't just happen physically. It may also be a wake up call to men and women who are trapped in a similar situation when they see a form of their relationship portrayed in the video.

It can be difficult to watch the video, but for those that have been hit, shoved, pushed, emotionally abused or been in a similar situation that is portrayed in the Love the Way You Lie video, it can be even more difficult to watch and sadly, more than enough women and men probably identify. For those that say that the Love the Way You Lie video glorifies domestic violence, the portrayal in the video isn't so far from what happens across the world to many women and men, especially to those that have a hard time walking away from a toxic relationship. The video is a fairly accurate portrayal, in some way, shape or form, of more relationships than you may realize.

Some people may condemn the ending because Meghan Fox's character doesn't leave Dominic Monaghan's character. After watching the Love the Way You Lie video, have a special discussion about the ending. The fact that Fox and Monaghan's characters stay together in such a volatile relationship is an example of what not to do, that leaving an unhealthy relationship no matter how much it pains you is necessary to survive both emotionally and physically.

If you are being abused, there is help for you. The National Domestic Violence Hotline has a website at http://www.ndvh.org/ and provides information and resources on how to get help. If you are afraid to visit the website for fear of your abuser finding out, The National Domestic Violence Hotline has a confidential and anonymous number, 1.800.799.SAFE, which is toll free and available to you every hour of every day.

Sources:

Love the Way You Lie Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uelHwf8o7_U

The National Domestic Violence Hotline: http://www.ndvh.org/