Effects of Domestic Violence on Lower-Class Children - Research Paper Example

Section I: Effects of domestic violence on lower children Domestic violence is defined as persistent abusive behavior perpetuated by one partner against another in a social unit such as matrimony, relationship, family, or a scenario in which persons live together. Domestic violence manifests in many ways: these encompass physical abuse such as hitting, spanking, biting, pushing, incarcerating, slapping, hurling objects at somebody, perpetrating sexual and/or psychological abuse, manipulation, use of threats, pestering, passive abuse and the withdrawal of economic resources. According to Cleaver (56), “the existence of domestic violence and parental drug or alcohol misuse was found to have serious impact on all aspects of children’s lives.” This implies that alcoholism and emotional disorders can be regarded as co-morbid factors with domestic violence which often results in additional problems hampering the effective resolution of the challenge. Regardless, domestic violence is a broad phenomenon that may not be restricted to physical hostility (Handley 31-35). It can also imply risking the life of an individual, criminal bullying, abduction, unlawful incarceration, trespassing, and persecution. This paper explores the impacts of domestic violence on children. Statistics According to Johnson (40), children are on the receiving end of domestic violence. Statistics have been on the increase regarding the recognition of the fact that a toddler who is brought up in an environment where domestic violence in the order of the day will experience immense challenges in their emotional and physical development (Handley 23-56). Owing to the deep concern for domestic hostilities that a large number of children are forced to grapple with, “…purification is no longer possible and impure, contagious, reciprocal violence spreads throughout the community …” (Handley 19), implying that domestic violence also universally affects how the child’s psychological, social, cognitive and behavioral components are tailored during development. Some psychological and behavioral challenges that can be touched off by domestic violence encompass more cruelty, nervousness, and impairments in regard to how a child relates with social acquaintances, family, and teachers as well as administrative personalities (Cleaver 23). According to Roy (1), “There is a silencing ... from the family or from well-meaning friends who fear for the woman’s safety,” meaning, dejection and low self-esteem can result due to harrowing incidents that they witnessed. Emotional and cognitive challenges in the learning facilities can start rising as well as the weakening problem-solving skills. In light of this, a connection has been established between the prevalence of abuse and abandonment in early years and engaging in domestic hostility and sexual violence among similar cases when they become adults (Handley 29-33). Further, in a number of instances, the perpetrator will deliberately perpetuate an abuse in the full glare of the toddler to trickle down to the younger victim, though in an indirect manner, hence, injuring two persons at the same time. It has been established that toddlers who witness parental violence are more expected to experience emotional disorders (Johnson 40). Additionally, chances that these minors will likely experience a more serious emotional problem(s) if their parent who is on the receiving end, develops emotional disorders is high. According to Joe (1) such parents often lack the capacity to help their young one with handling their own challenges of facing the impact of the condition in as they grow and develop. Signs of domestic violence Emotional The reaction of a child to unrelenting acts of domestic violence is dictated by several issues, including their maturity, gender, character and the nature of the family in which they are brought up (Cleaver 13-19). Domestic violence takes toll on children and can be measured on two fronts: the short-term and long-term repercussions of domestic violence (Cleaver 38). Among the short-term signs of domestic violence on children encompass: a child taking the blame for the hostilities; the victims show restiveness or oversleeping; failure to show normal development (Johnson 40). According to Cleaver (41), other signs include: becoming more nervous or scared; showing hostile or destructive actions; adopting a secluded life; starting to exhibit cruelty to other creatures such as animals; showing stress-related disorders, such as constant headache or pain in the stomach; exhibiting difficulty speaking, such as speech incoherence (Johnson 40; Cleaver 17-29). Among those bearing the brunt of domestic violence, immense levels of depression, panic, and nervousness are common symptoms (Cleaver 38). According to Cleaver (39), these conditions are brought about by victims grappling with the feeling of guilt for ‘triggering’ the violent episodes and are regularly forced to adjust to unbearable condemnation. Researchers indicate that more than half of such cases meet the thresholds for depression outcomes, either throughout or after the rescuing of the victim from such an environment (Handley 19, 20, 21, 153; Cleaver 21). Additionally, such victims have a higher likelihood of engaging in suicide. Apart from depressive episodes, domestic violence victims usually undergo chronic anxiety and fear, and might meet the meet the thresholds for depression (Johnson 21; 40). To put it in a nutshell, the most frequently established psychological repercussion of domestic violence is the presence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This emotional condition, especially in a child victim, is exemplified by undue flashbacks, disturbing images, embellished startle reactions, outlandishness, and steering clear of possible comments or actions that may trigger domestic violence (Johnson 40). These signs are universally experienced for an extensive period of time after the sufferer has adopted a new life that is free from abuse (Johnson 40). Physical A child affected by domestic violence usually has scars on the skin surface, broken bones, wounds to the head, lacerations, and hemorrhage (Cleaver 56). These conditions, however, require treatment options and admission to a health facility. Handley (19) indicates that a number of long-term health complications that have been related to cases of domestic violence make almost all children to be in danger of the impacts of the hostilities. According to Roy (1), ““professional, educated, independent” . . . empowerment was no protection against abuse,” implying children regardless of the satisfaction of their needs may be victims of domestic violence. Long-term effects of domestic violence A child brought up in family in which domestic violence is rife learns to work out their challenges using cruel means, rather than via diplomacy (Johnson 40). A number of the permanent repercussions may encompass taking after their violent parents (Handley 25). Children may harbor the feeling that it is normal to act in a violent manner against others, as they have witnessed this taking place in the aggressive episodes, they experienced (Cleaver 56-59). Despite the negative experiences of children facing the problem of domestic violence, Johnson (40) indicates that effective support and therapy will enable children to develop and learn that peaceful relations with others, which is anchored on faith and respect is an imperative sociological element. Impact of substance abuse and alcoholism According to Johnson (40), a number of parents who abuse substances and alcohol are unable to provide for their families. As they develop, children need reliability in their everyday life to enable them developing self-esteem and a feeling of security, which a number of parents who abuse alcohol curt away by instigating and perpetuating domestic violence (Johnson 40). Problematic abuse of substances and alcoholism may impact the child in: not living on a balanced diet; experiencing problems learning and associating with peers in school; developing psychological problems linked with depression or trauma; erosion of trust in parents; experiencing a higher risk of mental disorders or termination of one’s life in later life; and resorting to substance abuse to relieve stress (Handley 31-39). Mitigating domestic violence By asking “why should they end up homeless?” Roy (1) argues that the finding of a solution to domestic violence is paramount. This comes in the wake of the costly impact of domestic violence on children, which could spill out to the streets. There are certified agencies that can assist families to tackle and transform the violent behaviors, especially among parents or guardians. A parent or guardian that abuses alcohol or substances needs therapy, such as counseling or medical care Cleaver (59-63). Meanwhile, all destructive substances should be kept in places inaccessible to children (Johnson 40). Parents should take a proactive role in assisting their child or children to recuperate from the orgy of domestic violence in different ways. By indicating that “experts say, legislation and social movements, such as the women’s movement, are more likely to result in a long-term change in public attitudes and, as a result, news coverage,” Johnson (40) seeks to support the action against the hostilities by going public with the issue, and exposing the negative impacts of violent behaviors through various media. The media should instead be used to pass good lessons on the peaceful ways of controlling emotions and solving issues. Section II: An interview with children in a social facility, who were victims of domestic violence before their rescue. The child “X” was aged between 12 years old. Excerpts: Q1: Who were you staying with before you joined this facility? Child “X”: I was staying with my aunt and her husband before I was rescued and brought to this facility. Before then, I was a happy child living with my parents in a decent house. However, the lives of both my parents were cut short by a road accident prompting me to take refuge in my aunt’s house. Q2. What was life like under your aunt’s care? Harsh. Under the care of my aunt, all was well until her husband lost his job and began to consume a lot of alcohol. I could hardly get three meals a day. They would pick quarrels and resort to domestic violence, hurling household items such as plastic chairs at each other under my full glare. I hated such violent scenes and remembered the peaceful life I enjoyed before my parents died. Q3. Did you suffer any injury in the domestic violence? Child “X”: Yes. I can remember every time my aunt and her husband went for each other’s neck, sometimes they would roughly shove aside, especially when I tried to intervene. As a result, I suffered serious bruises. Q4. Did they ever threaten you with anything? Child “X”: Yes. The drunken man would sometimes threaten to kill me with a knife if I did not bring him food in record 2 minutes. Q5. Do you feel okay if you were discharged from this facility to return home? Child “X”: I feel insecure going home. This place is better and safer. I can only feel safe if my uncle abandons his drinking habit. Q6. Would you re-join the school to pursue to pursue your education? Child “X”: I have longed to resume learning so that I can make a good citizen in the future by securing myself a decent job. I miss my teachers and books. Q7. What have you gained since you joined this facility? Child “X”: I have learned a lot. First; violence is not the best way to solve issues affecting families. Second, parents should refrain from violence for the sake of children well being. Third; couples should be supportive of each other during economic problems and seek the services of a therapist if need be; and finally, parents should serve as role models to their children by being peaceful and controlling their emotions. Q8: What is your parting shot? Child “X”: Children are innocent and should be brought up in peaceful environment to enable them develop self-confidence and become good citizens when they become adults. Summary of the findings Domestic violence affects children a great deal. This calls for early intervention plans to reverse the repercussions of experiencing maltreatment. Ways to assist children who have borne the brunt of domestic violence encompasses: arrange therapy sessions for school-age children at the learning facilities. This can be achieved with different types of treatment such as play therapy, emotion control lessons and safety sessions to instruct children on how to slip through abusive situations; assisting children with finding a caring and supportive agency or an adult. This may be a family member with reputation, a governmental organization or private facility. Children from abusive families hate a hostile life, hence should be raised and supported in an entirely peaceful atmosphere where discipline is administered in a friendly manner without necessarily hitting, shouting at them, or any kind of verbally harsh behavior. Children should be assisted to establish a feeling of security by having planned timetables, such as routine feeding programs and homework programs. Works Cited Cleaver, Hedy. Child protection, domestic violence and parental substance misuse: family experiences and effective practice. Philadelphia: Kingsley Publishers, 2007. Print. Handley, William R. Marriage, violence, and the nation in the American literary West. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print. Roy, Nilanjana S. “When Home Is No Refuge for Women.” New York Times. NCC Library, 27 Mar. 2012. Web. 3 Apr. 2012. Johnson, Michelle. “Covering domestic violence.” Quill, 88.9 (2000): 40. Print. Read More