Witnessing Domestic Violence: Gender Flexibility and the Problem of Adaptation to Trauma - Research Paper Example

A Critique on "Witnessing Domestic Violence: Gender Flexibility and the Problem of Adaptation to Trauma" by Catina Anne Galloway Muhammad Hassan Humanities 1 Instructor’s Name Date A Critique on "Witnessing Domestic Violence: Gender Flexibility and the Problem of Adaptation to Trauma" by Catina Anne Galloway Summary The article written by Galloway (2005) entitled “Witnessing Domestic Violence: Gender Flexibility and the Problem of Adaptation to Trauma" presented at the American Sociological Association as a conference paper proffered issues pertinent to children who directly witnessed domestic violence with the aim of determining the impact of gender in terms of adapting to the traumatic witnessing of domestic abuse.

As indicated, the author explored through review of related literatures the validity that children who witnessed domestic violence are themselves victims of psychological abuse that have drastic repercussions in terms manifesting responses to diverse behavioral settings in the future. The findings reveal that the concept of gender flexibility, defined as “the ability to move between the poles of masculinity and femininity and to pull from the characteristics of both as tools for adaptation to trauma” (Galloway, 2005, p. 16), should be the focus for future research to explicitly identify how children could use concept to effectively adapt to the domestic violence they apparently witnessed.

Galloway (2005) used 32 different authoritative sources to support and validate her hypothesis. She initially presented a theoretical background encompassing the definition of domestic and family violence through the researches of other authors, prior to delving into the sensitive topic of children witnessing the tragic events. The purpose of the research was expounded by indicating that through the support of various literatures, it could be clearly deduced that children are most at risk subjecting them to suffer as witnesses of domestic violence.

The review of literature thereby enhanced the readers understanding through a presentation of the effects of witnessing domestic violence and structuring the adaptive mechanisms in terms of behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and enumerating gender effects. Finally, a social theory of intervention was explained by Galloway (2005) as she averred that it “demonstrates how the maladaptive behaviors of the children may be learned, though socialization and modeling. It establishes that there is a learning process, and gender is a part of that process” (Galloway, 2005, p. 15). Through this concept, the relevance of gender flexibility was initiated as a means to effectively adapt and adjust though learning the necessary tools that would create positive interventions to address the trauma of witnessing domestic violence.

Reaction One believes and agrees with the author’s contention that the views indicating that children are likewise victims of psychological abuse by merely being witnesses of domestic violence. The exposure to undue stress and emotional trauma as witnesses of domestic abuse would definitely affect perceptions and behavior of these children, as they get to encounter similar incidents in the future. The interesting facts that were presented are the diversity in the way children react and respond to these kinds of abuses depending on their gender.

The author’s reference to Jaffe, Wolf & Wilson (1990, p. 16) in Children of Battered Women, as quoted: “A boy who witnesses his father assaulting his mother is learning that violence is acceptable behavior that is an integral part of intimate relationships. A girl who witnesses her mother being assaulted by her father is learning about victimization and the extent to which men can utilize violence and fear to exert power and control over family members” (Jaffe, Wolf & Wilson, 1990, p. 16, cited by Galloway, 2005, p. 11) clearly validates the diversity in perception and the kinds of emotions and behavior that are developed by children according to gender.

Both genders, however, were revealed to manifest fear and begin to rationalize that the family where domestic violence exists is an unsecure place to be in and therefore learn to develop different adaptive responses to relieve them of the emotional stress, confusion and anxiety as they continue to experience these traumatic events. Analysis As one gets to evaluate the arguments presented by Galloway (2005), there is a strong contention for validity given the vast amount of secondary and authoritative sources that supported the views in her article.

Domestic violence is indeed a source of trauma for all concerned: to the victim, primarily, as well as to the witnesses, especially children of tender ages. If kept unaddressed, the drastic effect in terms of maladjusted behavior could very well be manifested in the future in terms of interactions with other people, and in terms of being exposed to the same kinds of stress that could relieve the trauma and experience of domestic abuse. The article should be used by various practitioners, who study domestic abuse and the welfare of both women and children, to assist in teaching gender flexibility and other corrective interventions to appropriate recovery from the trauma.

Future studies could use the information contained in Galloway’s (2005) article to pave the way for more focus on the comprehensive details of applying gender flexibility and maximize its benefits at diverse levels of interventions. Conclusion Galloway’s (2005) research is instrumental in having identified gender as a crucial factor that exhibits diverse reactions and responses of children witnessing domestic violence. Through the support of diverse authoritative and related literatures, the validity and credibility of the contentions that children who witnessed domestic violence are themselves victims of psychological abuse need to be more explicitly addressed through further research that would aim to assist children, as witnesses of domestic abuse, to cope, adapt and adjust positively in the future.

References Galloway, C. A. , 2006-08-10 "Witnessing Domestic Violence: Gender Flexibility and the Problem of Adaptation to Trauma" Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association, Montreal Convention Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Online . Retrieved 22 May 2011. from Jaffe, P., Wolfe, D., Wilson, S. (1990). Children of Battered Women. Bewbury Park: Sage Publications.