Domestic violence impact on children - Essay Example

Domestic violence impact on children al affiliation Domestic violence impact on children- An Annotated Bibliography 1.0. Introduction The interest of this case study deals with domestic violence and its implications on children. From a survey of relevant sources, the theme of domestic violence and children has extensively been researched. Carr (2000) indicates that the distressing impacts of domestic violence on children are acknowledged by a myriad of authors in the field. 1.1. Methods While conducting this research, I undertook the initiative of using SocIndex with full text using EBSCOHOST. The major terms used during the research include domestic violence and children. From the over thirty articles displayed on the page, only fifteen articles were a hundred percent related to my area of study. The other articles seemed too much inclined on the negative implications of domestic violence on women. This might be due to the prevalence of abuses in families and the number of people researching about women, unlike children. However, the research undertakings of articles proved extremely successful from the rich content acquired from the journals. 1.2. Body Bibliography Fantuzzo, J W, and Mohr, W K, 2009, ‘Prevalence and effects of child exposure to domestic violence’, The Future of Children, 9, 3, 21-32. Source: Scholarly Journal Content: Research This journal indicates that the rate at which domestic violence in the household is escalating by the day. In addition, the violence is seemingly affecting the children more than other individual in families and society at large. Children have been reported to endure abuses of all manners, bodily abuse, and sexual as well as psychosomatic abuse. Domestic violence on children renders most of them vulnerable; with no one championing or advocating for their rights. Majority of the children who have undergone domestic violence are documented to have stress, trauma; others are not able to bear with the fact that their own parents or caretakers harass them to a degree of death. Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2004, Mental health and growing up’, 3rd edition: Domestic violence: Its effects on children, (available from http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/young.htm Source: Academic Journal Content: Research This journal attempts to conduct a study on the various forms of abuses on children and how these abuses hinder their growth and development. According to Royal College of Psychiatrists (2004), subjection to violence for children is nothing less than life threatening circumstances. Physical violence on children has been described as the intentional pain or force inflicted on a child that causes severe pain to the individual. This form of abuse may include hitting the child, slapping, slashing using a weapon or even twirling of the child’s body parts. Sexual abuse has been described as forceful intimacy with a child that may either be rape, exposure to pornographic material to the children, vigorous oral sex or even forceful vaginal penetration. On the other hand, psychological abuse may entail the use of threatening statements to the children that may instill fear in their lives. Such threats may include statements that may suggest their assassination, isolation amongst others. The journal concludes by giving a comprehensive study on the impacts of abuse on the development of the child. The journal indicates that children who have undergone abuse are most likely to display maladjusted behaviors in the classroom and society at large. Some may display extreme fear not only of their older peers but also other individuals who may have a relationship with their abusers. This is carried on in almost their entire lives till their late stages. Carr, A, (ed.) 2000, What Works with Children and Adolescents? A Critical Review of Psychological Interventions with Children, Adolescents and their Families. BMJ, 323, 210-213 Content: Review Source: Critical Review This review highlights the possible effects of domestic violence on children in the contemporary world. Carr (2000) assesses the interventions that can be undertaken in order to assist children and adolescents that have undergone domestic violence. In light to the concept of what works for the adolescents, Carr (2000) cautions parents especially fathers on the kind of example they set for their sons in regard to treatment of women. However, he indicates that it is not obvious that children who have undergone violence are likely to repeat the same in their future lives. This is evident from an interview conducted on 146 respondents who had undergone domestic violence and abuse. Out of the 146 respondents, 130 claimed to have undergone therapy and are leading a productive life. Carr (2000) indicates that it is of great importance that education on the need to stop domestic violence is done in a thorough way. He recommends use of expertise to work on behalf of the children’s rights, the use of banners on the repercussions of violence on children and officially authorized advice on the children’s rights.   Brown, V, and Sharon B, 2005, ‘Violence in the Lives of Children’, Cross Currents, Issue 1, Child Trends Databank, August 2003. Content: Statistical evidence Source: Statistics From statistics carried out on various U.K. families, domestic violence is prevalent among all groups in the society regardless of the social and economic backgrounds. From the 4000 families interviewed on the issue of domestic violence and children, 75% and above of the fathers were documented to assault their children that rendered them another contributor to the growing statistic of domestic violence in families. In families that almost live below the poverty line, the rate at which violence prevailed in the families stood at an outstanding 89%. In the work of Brown and Sharon (2005) they indicate that as the years progress, there is a greater likelihood that more children will be at a higher risk on the subjection of domestic violence. These statistics indicate that the most prevalent form of abuse in the families is sexual abuse. About three quarters of the children in the selected 4000 families have undergone sexual abuse more than three times in just a month! In the latter stages of the statistical report, violence on children has led to massive health issues for the concerned children. Some children end up dying as a result of the violence; others end up having features of stunted growth, especially children who were raped and abused psychologically at a tender age. Female children are more exposed to violence, unlike the male. In fact, the statistics indicate that in every five women, at least three undergo abuse whichever the manner of abuse. Peled, E, 2008, ‘The Experience of living with violence for preadolescent children of battered women: A review of the current literature’, Children and Youth Services, Review, 19, 4, 277-299. Source: Review Content: Research findings From the research findings on the experience of children living with violence, this journal aims to bring out the characteristics of the children that are subjected to violence. From the journal, it is evident that children respond differently to the forms of violence that they are subject to by their parents or caretakers depending on their age, gender or phase of growth and development. Some children tend to get extremely restless and depressed at times during play or socialization with other individuals for fear of being battered by their peers or older adults. This study indicates that, some of the abused children suffer from insomnia and if they manage to catch some sleep, they get constant nightmarish and flashbacks that hinder development of these children. Others display absenteeism in school and become extremely excessive once put under punishment. Some end up indulging into drugs in the quest to forget their horrible nightmares, ultimately developing withdrawal symptoms.     Laing, T, 2001, Childhood trauma: An outline and overview, American Journal of Psychiatry, 148, 10-20. Source: Journal Content: Research This journal indicates that violence has a major impact on the relations of families and friends. Children who have undergone violence have been seen to have low self-esteem and are extremely concerned with what their peers think of them. Some are extremely guilty of the situations they are in; not having a role model would mean that these children would undergo a difficult time trying to adjust to their new ways of life. Some of the children who have undergone the abuse with their mothers seem over concerned on what their mothers would undergo in their absence. In short, these children suffer from traumatic conditions and are not able to lead normal lives like their peers. 1.3. Conclusion The issue of domestic violence and children is undoubtedly an atrocious menace in the society. The research indicates that most children are undergoing a very difficult time in the hands of violent caretakers. It is the responsibility of all members of the society to ensure that the rights of children are taken care of, so that these children lead productive lives in their future. 1.4. Bibliography Brown, V, and Sharon B, 2005, ‘Violence in the Lives of Children’, Cross Currents, Issue 1, Child Trends Databank, August 2003. Carr, A, (ed.) 2000, What Works with Children and Adolescents? A Critical Review of Psychological Interventions with Children, Adolescents and their Families. BMJ, 323, 210-213. Fantuzzo, J, W, and Mohr, W, K, 2009, ‘Prevalence and effects of child exposure to domestic violence’, The Future of Children, 9, 3, 21-32. Laing, T, 2001, Childhood trauma: An outline and overview, American Journal of Psychiatry, 148, 10-20. Peled, E, 2008, ‘The Experience of living with violence for preadolescent children of battered women: A review of the current literature’, Children and Youth Services, Review, 19, 4, 277-299. Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2004, Mental health and growing up’, 3rd edition: Domestic violence: Its effects on children, (available from http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/young.htm Read More