Jamaican women deserve all the grief they get from Jamaican men. Why? Because they are the ones who have spoilt the men. I say 'them', exempting myself, because I want a Romeo and will settle for nothing less. If many women didn't continually put up with their men cheating on them and physically abusing them, then the men would be forced to change their ways. Can you imagine what would happen if we all came together and made a list of all the foolishness we would no longer take from our men? They would have to get their acts together or fly solo for a long, long time.

Power we possess

As women, we need to understand the power we possess. God made us for a reason: to control unruly men. You see, no matter what men may say to each other, in the privacy of their macho ranting sessions, they CANNOT do without us (unless they are gay, of course).

Jamaican men have gone from bad to worse and the situation is now completely out of hand. Give them an inch and they take a mile. So, in future, if he raises his hand at you, leave. the other woman calls your phone, leave. He didn't come home last night, leave. No more excuses. Live without him for as long as it takes, because if you are a good woman, he will find his way back.

Who is my ideal Romeo?

Romeo is the kind of man our grandmothers told us about, growing up in the country. You know, the one who opens the doors for you and gives you flowers for no particular reason. Yes, one of those. You don't think he exists? Perhaps I'll just have to train one.

Women, you need to get your act together because you have an idea of how a man is supposed to treat you. Demand it, accept nothing else. We are women; we have the power to have the men eating out of our hands and doing exactly what we want them to do. Forget about the Chris Browns of this world. Let's take our men back to 'acceptable behaviour' school now.

Ashley Anderson, Kingston 20, lifestyle@gleaner jm.com.