Domestic Violence in Children - Research Paper Example

?Domestic Violence in Children Domestic violence is often referred to as family violence. It includes verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Amounting body of literature reveals that children who witness persistent acts of domestic violence have greater behavioral and emotional problems than other children. In fact, very young children can be profoundly affected and frightened. The emotional, psychological, and physical effects of family violence on children can be stringent and long lasting. Some children withdraw themselves and find it complex to communicate. Other may blame themselves or act out the aggression they have observed. Majority of the children living under abuse are immensely stressed. This paper seeks to contribute literature regarding what can be the impact of domestic violence on children. Eileen, Bratel, and Breckenridge, (2006), stated that domestic violence is a social problem, having its roots globally. It occurs when one of the family member, usually a mother, or a father attempts emotional, sexual, or physical abuse. This member dominates other family members psychologically and creates an environment of fear. Generally, the children being abused experience some physical or emotional disability. Special concerns are given to such children in Australia. When a child having disability is being abused, social workers instantly consider the matter and try to resolve that (Eileen, Bratel, and Breckenridge, 2006). The study of Brinamen, Taranta, and Johnston, (2012), stated that number of adolescents exposed to homelessness and child domestic abuse is increasing day-by-day. The impact of domestic abuse on children is reflected into the problems of society. The authors have mentioned some tips for teaching the guardians or caregivers about physical and mental abuse. This study states that teaching caregivers about domestic abuse can be very productive. In a large number of cases of domestic violence, the appreciation of family lacks and in worst case, the survival becomes difficult. One of the biggest reasons due to which children get hurt every minute and every day is tolerance. Adults usually believe that children have the ability to take right decision at all times, however in many cases they learn how children do not have the capacity to take right decision and how they need to be forbearing (Brinamen, Taranta, and Johnston, 2012). Cooley, (2009), was a renowned American sociologist. He was the first sociologist to put forward the notion of Primary Groups. Primary groups refer to as immediate family and friends. Cooley proposes how primary groups are impacted by the ways of your thinking, beliefs, morals, sentiments, and ideas. Cooley believed that this is fundamental for the upbringing of any person. With primary group, a person shares more close and intimate relationship. In contrast, the author also teaches regarding Secondary Group. Secondary group is the one with which person interacts on a more reserve and less personal level. With secondary group, a person mainly shares same activities and interest. A vital difference between secondary and primary group is the fact that a person does not have the option of choosing primary group and is born into it while when it comes to secondary group, a person deliberately chooses secondary group. Primary and secondary group of every personal affects the values, moral, and beliefs but are influenced by society as well. Cooley, (2009), states that every problem is at individual level first and later becomes the problem of overall society. Here, the author gives the example of domestic violence. Generally, a person who suffers from mentally or physically abused traumas, first suffers at individual level and later on becomes collective problem. The victims tend to be emotionally unstable or aggressive; therefore, we need to find ways to lessen this problem (Cooley, 2009). Study of Devaney, (2013), states that domestic violence is not a social problem only in underdeveloped countries, but even in developed countries, its prevalence is substantial. The article is based upon the facts of domestic violence in the population U.K. According to statistics in U.K., over one million children are defenseless to domestic violence. A large number of violence on victims comes from those families who undergo socio-economic instability or drug abuse problems. The paper concluded by stated that government should formulate strict laws and must get involved in the matter because lives of children are at risk. With the formulation of such stringent laws, people would be more refrained and challenged from involving in such abstruse activities (Devaney, 2013). Dallan, and Forste, (2006), emphasized on domestic violence in some of the Latin American countries including Haiti, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Peru, and Nicaragua. Major issues discussed in this article included intimate partner violence, family violence, family size, decision-making, drinking habits, and drinking trend in Latin America. Dominance of male or female and cohabitation are proved as very harmful for family. The link of alcohol consumption along with cohabitation is a link tied most frequently. Size of family is another contributing factor between families suffering from any kind of abuse. Dallan, and Forste, (2006), state that impact of socioeconomic factors on family is leading to common abusive problems in household. The article explains voices and opinion of domestically abused Latinas (Dallan, and Forste, 2006). Nova, Romanov, and Antonova, (2008), focus on impact of domestic violence and abuse on the development of children in Russia. The article further states how the abusive behavior with children have greater tendency of getting involved in hostile behaviors. The children start becoming aggressive not only in childhood but also during their teenage. Statistics reveal that importance of violence demonstrated by these children depends on their age. Other essential facts included in the study state that witnessing violence results in aggressive behavior of children. Nova, Romanov, and Antonova, (2008), strongly recommends taking preventive measures and establishing systems for averting abusive behavior with children (Nova, Romanov, and Antonova, 2008). Carl Jung was taught by Sigmund Freud and was a Swiss psychiatrist. At the beginning, many ideas of Jung, (2009), were based on the theories of Freud but later on, he proposed his own ideas and conclusion. At first, Jung, (2009), put forward the idea of archetypes. Archetypes are ideas that humans have regarding specific situations, behaviors, or people. Secondly, Jung, (2009), put forward the idea of collective unconscious that is based upon archetypes. From birth, humans have conscious thoughts and behavior, about which they are not aware of or do not know the meaning of them. Jung, (2009), believed that people’s unconsciousness is manifested by dreams. After experiencing domestic violence, a person becomes consciously aware of this behavior and later, it becomes a habit of perceiving this behavior in an unconscious manner. When it becomes the habit to physically or emotionally abuse someone they do not deem it wrong and consider the behavior as normal. This happens when the problem starts to upsurge (Jung, 2009). Mills, (2009), was an American sociologist who taught us through his writings. He stated that the behavior of human cannot be understood without looking at the past of the person. According to Mills, (2009), people fail to realize the effects of history. The era when Mills, (2009) was analyzing sociological aspects, he pointed out how humans feel that they are trapped in one way or another. The author makes critiques and observation regarding the society of America in mid of 50s. The author further believes that majority of the social problems are caused due to the failure of people. In order to recognize the emotional state of a person, one must observe what past the person has and what has he been through. People usually misjudge the ones who are undergoing trauma and start making perception by labelling them as ‘retarded’ or ‘antisocial’. There is a possibility that the person has been through critical past. If people take a minute out to analyze and think varying behaviors of society, a large number of misconceptions and misunderstandings can be sorted out (Mills, 2009). The article of Nguyen, Jeffery, Ericka, (2012), demonstrates an example of how children can be adversely influenced by domestic violence. This impact remains either for long-term or short-term period. In order to resolve a large number of problems that are prevalent in today’s society, one must intervene and assist children by getting them back to their normal lives. This commitment is crucial. By doing so, society will be negatively impacted by the negative repercussions resulting from domestically abused children. The article provides interviews of adult victims. Solutions for resolving this problem include listening to the preference of child, making them feel greeted in every environment, planning safety programs, promoting their capabilities, promoting consistent support, service providers, and counselling (Nguyen, Jeffery, Ericka, 2012). Thompson, and Trice-Black, (2013), stated that those children who are vulnerable to any type of tragedy usually undergo troubles in externalizing and internalizing behavior as well as in academic performance. This article puts forward varying solutions regarding disturbances. There are numbers of traumas but the most common out of all of them is domestic violence. Schools are involved in counselor, psychologists, and social workers in order to make it an easier issue to deal with. This article proposes few interventions including bibliotherapy, art therapy, communication, child welfare, group therapy, counseling, mental health services, mental health personnel, problem solving, play therapy, school health services, and particularly environmental exposure (Thompson, and Trice-Black, 2013). The study of Edleson, (1999) also highlighted the impact of domestic violence on children. The author stated that professionals associated to social services are more frequently involved in determining children that experience and become victims of domestic child abuse. Edleson, (1999) further stated that wide varieties of emotional, behavioral, cognitive-functioning problems were found among those children who are related to domestic violence exposure. Other factors that moderate the effects of witnessing violence in children were also discussed. Some of them included age, gender, and time since last exposure (Edleson, 1999). Margolin, (1998) stated that witnessing domestic violence is associated with behavior, emotional and learning problem among children. It also results in susceptibility of children affected by chronicity of exposure, developmental level, emotional closeness to the victim, and physical closeness to the incident. Margolin, (1998) further argued that based on these dimensions, it can be concluded that observing violent behavior of parents is an insidious event for children. Domestic violence is more likely to occur at homes, which are considered as an environment of protection and safety of child. Not surprisingly, the impact of marital violence is also adverse and results in variety of problems among children (Margolin, 1998). Holt, Buckley, and Whelan, (2008), review the literature related to effect of domestic violence exposure on developmental well-being and health of children and young people. Impacts were observed across four different yet interrelated domains. It concluded that impact on parental capacity, child abuse, and domestic violence exposure, exposure to additional adversities, and impact on adolescent development of child. The review of the study of Holt, Buckley, and Whelan, (2008), found that adolescents and children living within the premises of domestic violence are at growing risk of undergoing physical, emotional, and sexual abuse as well as of developing behavioral and emotional problems. Such children are also at increased exposure of other adversities in their future life. Holt, Buckley, and Whelan, (2008), highlight range of protective factors that can reduce the impact, in particular a strong attachment and relationship with a caring adult, for instance a mother. Young people and children may be substantially impacted by living in domestically violent environment. Its impact can last even after the protective measures have been taken to safeguard the safety of children. Implications of the study suggest appropriate, timely, and individually tailored needs to construct the resilient block in the lives of children (Holt, Buckley, and Whelan, 2008). Sternberg, et al. (1993), conducted a study to investigate the impact of various types of domestic violence by fathers, mothers on 8 to 12 years old children. The aim of the study was to find out the impact of domestic violence on depression and behavioral problem of children. 110 Israeli children included in the study, which belonged to lower class families. It was found that 33 children that been abused physically by their parents within the period of last 6 months, 16 children witnessed martial abuse, 30 children had been both, witness and victim of domestic violence, whereas 31 experienced no domestic violence. Overall, the impact of domestic violence on children varies in magnitude (Sternberg, et al. 1993). Works Cited Baldry, Eileen, Joan Bratel, and Jan Breckenridge (2006). Domestic Violence And Children With Disabilities: Working Towards Enhancing Social Work Practice. Australian Social Work Academic Search Premier 59(2),185-197. Brinamen C, Taranta A, Johnston K. (2012). Expanding early childhood mental health consultation to new venues: Serving infants and young children in domestic violence and homeless shelters. Infant Mental Health Journal, 33(3), 283-293. Cooley, Charles Horton.(2009). Primary Groups. Self and Society Level II. Ed. Maureen Goldstein and Judith Adelson. Acton, MA: Copley. Devaney, John. (200). Chronic Child Abuse And Domestic Violence: Children And Families With Long-Term And Complex Needs. Child & Family Social Work 13(4), 443-453. Flake, Dallan, and Renata Forste. (2006). Fighting Families: Family Characteristics Associated With Domestic Violence In Five Latin American Countries. Journal Of Family Violence 21(1), 19-29. Iarskaia-Smir nova, E. R., P. V. Romanov, and E. P. Antonova. (2008). Domestic Violence Against Children. Russian Education & Society 50(11), 20-35. Jung, Carl. (2009). The Personal and the Collective Unconscious. Self and Society Level II. Ed. Maureen Goldstein and Judith Adelson. Acton, MA: Copley. Mills, C Wright. (2009). The Promise. Self and Society Level II. Ed. Maureen Goldstein and Judith Adelson. Acton, MA: Copley Nguyen, Hoa T., Jeffrey L. Edleson, and Ericka Kimball. (2012). Honour Our Voices: A Strengths-Based Approach To Supporting Children Exposed To Domestic Violence. Relational Child & Youth Care Practice 25(4), 49-57. Thompson, E., and Shannon Trice-Black. (2012). School-Based Group Interventions For Children Exposed To Domestic Violence. Journal Of Family Violence 27(3), 233-241. Sternberg, Kathleen J.; Lamb, Michael E.; Greenbaum, Charles; Cicchetti, Dante; Dawud, Samia; Cortes, Rosa Manela; Krispin, Orit; Lorey, Fanny (1993). Effects of domestic violence on children's behavior problems and depression. Developmental Psychology, 29(1), 44-52. EDLESON, JEFFREY L. (1999). Children's Witnessing of Adult Domestic Violence. J Interpers Violence, 14(8), 839-870 Margolin, Gayla. (1998). Effects of domestic violence on children. Violence against children in the family and the community. Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association, xi, 511 pp. 57-101 Stephanie Holt, Helen Buckley, Sadhbh Whelan. (2008). The impact of exposure to domestic violence on children and young people: A review of the literature. Child Abuse & Neglect, 32(8), 797–810.   Read More