Tune in to eye-opening ‘Terror at Home’

On April 10, Lifetime will air “Terror at Home: Violence Against Women in America,” featuring singer/actor/composer Michael Bolton, a longtime activist in charities benefiting women and children.

The father of three daughters, Bolton says the fact that too many men can get away with abusing women is “shameful in what we like to believe is a civilized, progressive society. …(And) it’s not enough for abused women to demand to live without fear of the men in their lives, the ‘good guys’ among us must also help women regain what their abusers have taken from them.”

Michael Bolton makes no apologies for using the words shame or shameful in describing both the active and passive participants in this ongoing cycle of brutality.

“I feel it’s appropriate to say, shame on men who commit violence against women, and shame on men who know about it and do nothing or very little to stop it. And shame on us as a society when we not only tolerate it, but often make excuses for our domestic terrorists.

“Americans are prepared to do what it takes to combat terror from outside,” Bolton says, “and it’s time we did something about the terrorists in our homes.”

(Note: Bolton’s music for the film is expected to be released soon on CD.)

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To M.L. in Toronto: Thank you for your note on the value of all-girl schools in the lower grades. I’m aware that some educators feel this helps build self-esteem in girls who might otherwise feel — as you say — like second-class citizens in classes where teachers tend to favor the boys. But that’s the fault of the teachers, not the coed system. Besides, the sooner girls learn how to interact with boys, the more prepared they will be — as women — to live with, compete with and cooperate with men in the real world.