Domestic Violence and the Effect on Children - Research Paper Example

? Domestic Violence and the Effect on Children Introduction Domestic violence can be defined as the continued physical abuse and assault of one partner by the other within an intimate relationship. The relationship may be marriage, cohabitation, by blood in the case of family, or dating. Domestic violence can also be termed as battery, spouse abuse or violence within a family which all imply the use of physical force within the domestic unit by one member against another (Sipe & Hall, 2000). This essay will discuss domestic violence, the effect it has on children. Also its effect on children later in life and on families will be examined. Discussion Domestic abuse and violence can be in many forms. The most common means of physical abuse and aggression in domestic violence are kicking, punching with the fists, slaps, shoving, restraining, strangling and biting. Objects are also used as weapons and they might include rolling pins, belts, whips, cooking utensils, cutlery, hot water, and hard objects. In extreme cases knives and controlled weapons such as guns have been used. Rape and sexual abuse are also forms of domestic violence especially where the victims are children. Passive forms of domestic violence may also be exhibited. They include excessive controlling and domineering commands, threats, intimidation, dehumanizing insults, stalking, neglect and deprivation of both fundamental and social economic needs (Sipe & Hall, 2000). For instance locking out a family member or spouse outside their residence or denying them a meal, medical attention. Researchers have identified that there is only one sole reason or purpose of domestic violence and abuse. This is the acquisition and maintenance of total and unrestricted control over an individual. Smith & Segal (2012) state that, “Abusers use the elements of fear, need, guilt, intimidation and even shame to wear the victim down both physically and psychologically. The victim gradually weakens losing considerable body strength, morale and capacity to think freely.” Deterioration of one’s health is also a characteristic of subjection to domestic abuse. The perpetrator’s influence and control on the other hand gradually increases asserting his or her dominion over the victim. Domestic violence may be directed towards the victim directly where the acts of abuse are inflicted on the victim, or indirectly where the acts of abuse are inflicted on the victim’s close relation forcing the victim to yield. One such example of indirect domestic abuse is assault on a woman’s children or sister. An interesting fact about domestic violence is that it does not discriminate. Same sex couples are at a similar risk and probability of domestic violence and abuse as are heterosexual couples. Abuse and violence are also not specific on the age groups affected, ethnicities, race, economic capacity and social standing. Furthermore, though women are the most susceptible and physically weaker than males, cases of male victims have been recorded and at significant frequency (Sipe & Hall, 2000). As stated, domestic violence and abuse are both physical and psychological. Smith & Segal (2012) assert that, “Domestic violence has been recorded to cause trauma in its victims of which children are highly susceptible. The mental and psychological health of children is compromised by violent and abusive encounters the children have within the domestic setting.” Researchers have carried out investigations to assert the emotional, cognitive and behavioral changes that result from this form of violence on children. Traumatic stress has been cited as a consequence of encounters that are negatively extreme, life threatening, uncomfortable and demeaning to the person. The occurrence of these events is unpredicted and children have little or no control over their occurrence overwhelming the child’s sense of security. Psychoanalysts have classified traumatic events in two classes; type 1 where the event is singular and short term, and type 2 where the event is prolonged and chronic. Domestic violence is classified as a type 2 event that has greater impact (Hesater, 2007). The first and most common effect of traumatic events in children is the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This disorder is characterized by avoidance tendencies and hyper-arousal. Victims suffering from this disorder have a tendency of organizing their lives, activities and thoughts around the traumatic events experienced. Interpersonal problems, intellectual difficulties, and occupational distractions develop though these may vary in severity with individuals. In cases where the traumatic experience has lasted continuously for more than 2 days to a month causing helplessness, a feeling of intense fear and or horror, Acute Stress Disorder may develop. Volpe (1996) states that, “Common emotional effects of trauma include irritability, feelings of guilt, expression of horror, hostility and cases of depression. Concentration is impaired, bouts of confusion are exhibited, and the victim blames himself or herself and flashbacks.” Also lowered levels of self efficacy may develop. The victim may experience sleeplessness (insomnia), nightmares, substance abuse, social withdrawal and diminished interpersonal trust. School children exposed to domestic violence have anxiety and post traumatic stress which if untreated has a likelihood of resulting in delinquency, dropping out of school, abuse of drugs and strained relationships with peers, friends and acquaintances. Volpe (1996) indicates that, “Researchers believe that children exposed to domestic violence experience a wide and varied range of reactions.” Kindergarten and pre-school children often believe that they did something wrong that in effect prompted the traumatic experience. Self blame results and in turn leads to feelings of guilt, anxiety and at times worry. Due to the inability of children and especially younger children to satisfactorily express their emotions verbally, they therefore manifest or express them through behavior. In some instances, children tend to become non verbal, socially withdrawn, and have regressed behavior (whining or clinging). In addition, sleeping difficulties and physical complaints such as fatigue and headaches are common (Hesater, 2007). Pre adolescent children, on the other hand, have a greater capacity to express themselves verbally and can therefore express their feelings with greater ease than pre school children. In addition to the common symptoms and behaviors experienced by pre-school children, pre- adolescent children often exhibit declining interest and involvement in social activities, avoiding relations with peers, withdrawal, disobedience towards guardians and authority, and defiant behavior in school. Frequent temper tantrums, involvement in school fights and fighting with siblings, and irritability have also been associated with domestic violence. The child may treat animals cruelly, be overly abusive, issue violent threats to peers and lash out at inanimate objects. The child might choke, kick or hit those around him or her as a means of getting attention (Sharp, 2010). Domestic violence and abuse continues to affect children throughout their entire lives if its effects are left untreated. As the children grow up, signs of problems arising from past encounters with violence and abuse are evident. Focus in work and concentration may be impaired at drastically low levels. The individuals may tend to perform poorly in their assigned tasks whether at their places of occupation, social places or residences. Reading abilities may be lower as a result of mental preoccupation and trauma experienced in earlier school years that inhibited their learning and acquisition of intellectual skills. Individuals tend to have lingering psychosomatic ailments, suffer from bouts of clinical depression, have suicidal tendencies and inclinations, and may be prone to bed wetting even as adults (Hesater, 2007). Also, individuals who experienced domestic violence as children are at a very high risk of drugs and substance abuse (Sharp, 2010). Overconsumption of alcohol and drug overdoses is also a characteristic trait of early domestic abuse. Teenage girls have higher instances of juvenile pregnancies. Another effect of this violence is the metamorphosis of rebellious, disobedient and defiant behavior into criminal activities, disregard for the rule of law, physical assaults on individuals and a general indifference to other people’s feelings, wellbeing or empathy. Studies conducted have suggested that personal growth and development as members of society of such individuals is damaged. The studies reiterate the exhibition of lack of empathy for other people, great discomfort and unease in social gatherings, feeling socially isolated and great difficulties in making friends. These are due to the fact that the individual is confused and unable to determine what is and is not socially acceptable (Sharp, 2010). United Nations Children’s Fund (2006) states that, “The likelihood of children victims of domestic violence perpetrating the same offence to the next generation and their offspring is high” (p. 4). The cycle of violence is therefore likely to be passed to the next generation and since the number of offspring is statistically higher, cases of domestic violence have a probability of increasing. It is notable that the best indicator or means of predicting if children will become victims or perpetrators of domestic violence and abuse is whether in their childhood they were brought up in homes and or experienced domestic violence. Studies have shown that women in abusive relationships have husbands or partners who were subjected to domestic violence and abuse as children. The husbands continue the trend and actions they witnessed as children inflicted on their mothers and reenact these memories by doing the same on their wives, spouses. Volpe (1996) notes that, “Children are likely to develop into aggressive, physically violent individuals stemming from the lessons and experiences they underwent or witnessed in their homes”. Powerful and indelible lessons in the use of violence especially early in life learn the ability of dominating other people through its use and might be inclined to do so. However, not all adults exposed to violence as children fall into the trap of perpetrating or becoming victims as adults. A substantial number have fought its effects and detest its practice actively opposing it. Domestic abuse and violence negatively impacts families in different ways. One of its effects on families is the loss of trust between family members. Trust in interpersonal relationships is essential for communication and interdependence amongst individuals whether on personal, financial or social matters. The lack of security and the feeling of personal safety caused by those close to you results in distrust and breakdown in communication. A victim of domestic violence and abuse is unlikely to trust, communicate or show empathy towards the perpetrator on any grounds reminiscent of past traumatic experiences. Such lack of trust causes hyper-arousal, irritability and tensions in the family affecting all its members spilling over from the victim perpetrator relations. Healthy dialogue is inhibited and increasingly rare, family members live in increasing and constant anxiety (Sipe & Hall, 2000). Family break ups are a common result of domestic violence. Due to the tension and anxiety levels rising, in addition to emotions of hate, contempt and disgust by the victim and his or her sympathizers against the perpetrator, the family breaks up. This is especially the case in the violent domestic abuse of a spouse or a child in his or her late teens. The victims seek freedom and solace from the violence and escape the violent environment which is their home. An abused mother may run away with her children and opt to raise them by herself. A teenager abused by either of his or her parents or an elder sibling may secretly run away from home to escape the violence. Children who witnessed or experienced domestic violence have a likelihood of blocking away their past and shunning the perpetrators from their lives later as adults. For instance, an individual may cut all relations and communication with the father who physically abused his or her mother (Sharp, 2010). Smith & Seagal (2012) note that, “Children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence growing up lack social values such as love, respect, empathy, kindness and tolerance. These values are the core skills parents should pass on to their children but the preoccupation of terror, fear, distrust, withdrawal and breakdown in communication inhibit this.” In this respect, families therefore bring up children lacking the necessary social skills to harmoniously coexist and interact with people. Families with children lacking in these skills exist in isolation from the society around them. As a consequence, such families or their members can be denied various social amenities and opportunities the family or its members need simply due to the lack of healthy relations and capacity for self expression. Lack of these traits has led to incarceration of family members, bursts of anger resulting in injury and lack of value for human life. The individual is indifferent to these and in effect at the mercy of the society judged by his actions. Members of families that have or had cases of domestic violence tend to perform under per and are generally disadvantaged due to their low work, intellectual output. Children in violent environments perform poorly in school, fail to develop healthy social skills and are withdrawn. As adults their opportunities will be highly restricted due to their grades, weak resumes and difficulties in self expression and interactivity with other individuals. Lower wages and economic capacities may result and might have difficulties providing for their children. The family’s prosperity and perpetuity is thus undermined and threatened. In the case of adults currently living in violent homesteads, poor performance at the work place, mental preoccupations and lowered efficiency may result. Sleeplessness caused by trauma can lead to agitation, loss of concentration, drowsiness and even accidents at the workplace. The parent may lose his or her job and this would impact the family in terms of provision of needs and family economics (Sipe & Hall, 2000). Conclusion Domestic violence has far reaching effects around us and its occurrence for the larger part is unpredictable. Prevention of its occurrence in addition to the protection of children from being victims or witnesses of domestic violence is paramount. As a suggestion, awareness programs of its nature, forms, effects and remedies from its effects should be conducted and or adopted to stem it out and prevent its passage to subsequent generations. References Hesater, M. (2007). Making an Impact: Children and Domestic Violence. Jessica Kingsley Pub Sharp, R. (2010). Effects of Domestic Violence on Children. William Gladden Press Sipe, B. & Hall, E. (2000). I Am Not Your Victim: Anatomy of Domestic Violence. Sage Publications Smith, M. & Segal, J. (2012). Domestic Violence and Abuse: Signs of Abuse and Abusive Relationships, Help Guide.org. Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm United Nations Children Fund (2006). Behind Closed Doors: The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/protection/files/BehindClosedDoors.pdf Volpe, S. (1996). Effects of Domestic Violence on Children and Adolescents: An Overview. Retrieved from http://www.aaets.org/article8.htm Read More