Domestic Violence in Childhood - Research Paper Example

 Domestic violence in childhood Introduction Goal statement: to find out if the presence of domestic violence in childhood affects the child's adult phase. In case of domestic violence children percept it as a mechanism of obtaining desired outcomes in the future. Accompanied by confusion and emotional stress, children reach adult phase with instable psyche and fear. In accordance with the research data of 2005 Child Abuse and Neglect Fact Sheet 899,000 children in USA were victims of domestic violence while in 2004 this figure was 2 percent lower (770,297). Research questions: children exposed to domestic violence are depressed, emotionally unstable, and unsociable, they complain of afflictions (stomachache, headache etc). These features can be projected on child’s adult phase as either neglecting of generally accepted moral norms or following the strategy of violence as means of reaching future goals or distraction from the society. II. Research synopsis A problem of domestic violence in childhood is of high relevance nowadays. It’s a kind of national plague and nearly one million of children are exposed to it. Children become victims of domestic tyrants or indirect harmful influence of domestic violence witnessing, which can cause emotional disorder and finally turn children from victims into tyrants in the future themselves. What is worse is a possibility that children exposed to violence have greater possibility to be drug or alcohol abusers. In accordance with gender, violence at home differs concerning boys and girls. Consequently, influences of tyrannical plague can ruin boys’ psyche and make them sure that violence gets them what they want. Therefore boys can settle conflict in the future not through dialogue, but through violence. Girls getting used to violence in their childhood can percept it as a norm in their future. Furthermore during their school year boys tend to overt intimidation and physical aggression while girls tend to become more covert and gossip or sneer. The extent of further display of violence in childhood can reflect in domestic violence among men whereas women can tolerate violence from their husbands. In accordance with Davis and Carlson (1987) childhood exposure to violence increases the possibility of becoming an abused wife. Hughes and Barad (1983) claim that a great number of violent men and their victims occurred among exposed to violence in childhood. Fortunately, not all children who have experienced violence in their childhood relationships will be cruel to their family (Rosenbaum and O'Leary 1981). Furthermore these scientists claim that women who were victims of violent behavior in childhood were more unhappy and hostile than women from non-violent homes, though such dependence wasn’t traced among men. Another study by Widom (1989) emphasized that exposure to constant violence was the strongest point of violent criminal behavior. III. Sampling procedure This research project is being conducted to find out what types of influences appear after exposure to violence in childhood. This research will be descriptive in nature. I intend to take a random sample of children exposed to violence in their homes. On the basis of the available reports and calculations of Prevent Child Abuse America Fact Sheet (2005) a cover letter will be sent to all agencies within the State after obtaining prior approvals through governing bodies. Once approvals are received, then data collection will begin. The time frame for collection and analysis will be approximately one year. Questionnaires will be mailed to the Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System so they know what data is required for analysis. I intend to review all available data on violation exposure in childhood for a period of one year (2004-2005). I will gather descriptive data of victims of domestic violence among children concerning gender, age, emotional and physical state, prior violation cases and any other pertinent data that will assist me in this project. This project is intended to assist teachers’ qualified help for children exposed to violence, the judicial system and centers for Children & Families in the Justice System by targeting and hopefully arriving at a profile for those who may be victims of violence. IV. COVER LETTER Date: Name of Addressee Address City, State, Zip Attn: RE: Research Proposal Dear Sir/Madam: Hello, my name is (your name) and I am conducting a research project concerning presence of domestic violence in childhood and its influence on child’s adult phase. This research is being conducted in order to assist teachers, Centers for Children & Families in the Justice System in order to reveal children exposed to violence. I would appreciate your assistance in my data collection and am requesting all data concerning violence influence on children (2004-2005). I have also enclosed for your convenience a copy of the questionnaire which discusses what information is needed and the format for such information. Also enclosed for your convenience is a self-addressed envelope. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the phone number provided on this letterhead or via my email address. Thanking you in advance for your cooperation in this very important research project. Respectfully, Your name V. QUESTIONNAIRE This questionnaire is designed to obtain the most accurate response concerning the issue of violence in childhood. It is directed on revealing features of children exposed to violence in their homes. Please take a moment and fill out the following. Thank you. INSTRUCTIONS: Please circle the most appropriate response to each question. 1. What is your gender? a. male b. female 2. What is your age group? a. preschooler b. 6-11 3. Have you ever been depressed or frustrated? a. yes b. no 4. Do you often have stomachaches or headaches? a. yes b. no 5. How do you reach your wants and needs? a. urgent request b. calm request VII. DATA ANALYSIS Number of domestic violence victims among children. • 62.8% exposed to neglecting • 16.6% physically abused • 9.3% sexually abused • 7.1% emotionally maltreated The above data supports my hypothesis that number of children exposed to domestic violence has increased in 2005 in comparison to 2004. VIII. RESEARCH FINDINGS/CONCLUSION In the process of research I succeeded to find out that the presence of domestic violence in childhood affect the child's adult phase. A problem of domestic violence in childhood is one of the most important today and should be much attention in order to prevent new offences. It’s a kind of national plague and nearly one million of children are exposed to it. In case of domestic violence children percept it as a mechanism of obtaining desired outcomes in the future. Accompanied by confusion and emotional stress, children reach adult phase with instable psyche and fear. In accordance with the research data of 2005 Child Abuse and Neglect Fact Sheet 899,000 children in USA were victims of domestic violence while in 2004 this figure was 2 percent lower. Children become victims of domestic tyrants or indirect harmful influence of domestic violence witnessing, which can cause emotional disorder and finally turn children from victims into tyrants in the future themselves. What is worse is a possibility that children exposed to violence have greater possibility to be drug or alcohol abusers. In accordance with gender, violence at home differs concerning boys and girls. As a result, influences of cruel plague can destroy children’s psyche and make them believe that aggression gets them what they want. Thus, boys can settle conflict in the future not through dialogue, but through cruelty. Moreover, during their school year boys tend to overt intimidation and physical aggression while girls tend to become more covert and gossip or sneer. The extent of further display of violence in childhood can reflect in domestic violence among men whereas women can tolerate violence from their husbands. Girls who experienced violence in their childhood can percept it as a norm in their future. As far as we can see children are easily exposed to domestic violence. In such a way a child loses his aspiration for normal and happy future. Children lack consistency and self-subjectivity. They try to hide their individualities and can even blame themselves in domestic violence. Daily life of a child exposed to domestic violation is interrupted by aggressive sounds and images. Caring people, teachers and special centers for protection of children and family should care for and teach children. Firstly, it is necessary to learn about domestic violence. For this purpose I suggest my questionnaire, which helps to recognize the signs that children may display when they are in trouble. Furthermore it is desirable to get acquainted with relevant studies on domestic violence. In accordance with the above discussed studies, it is clearly seen that children exposure to domestic violence can influence future of victims in a negative way. There is a possibility of ex-victims to become tyrants themselves (in case with boys) and tolerance to violation in family (in case with girls). Moreover, there is a chance to grow up as alcoholics or drug addicts for children from families, where violence occurs. What is worse is that an increased number of victims of domestic violence among children are an intimidating factor of modern society development. Therefore, it is necessary to reveal and assist victims of violence among children in order to decrease or even illuminate this tendency in American society. Violence must not take place and many efforts must be concentrated on fighting with it. The results of this research project will hopefully make a contribution to fight with domestic violence. Works cited 1. 2005 Child Abuse and Neglect Fact Sheet. Retrieved Feb. 11, 10 from: 2. Barad S., & Hughes H. “Children who witness women battering: Concerns and dilemmas in the construction of a social problem”. Children and Youth Services Review 15(1) 1993, pp. 43-52. 3. Davis, L., & Carlson, B. (1987) “Observation of Spouse Abuse. What Happens to the Children?” Journal of Interpersonal Violence 2 (3), pp. 278-291. 4. Rosenbaum, A., & O'Leary, D. K. (1981). “Children: The unintended victims of marital violence”. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 51, pp. 692-699. 5. Widom, C. (1989). “The cycle of violence”. Science, 244, pp. 160-166. Read More