The Importance of Social Support - Research Proposal Example

Thesis on Social Support and Section # of Chapter Introduction 1 About Social Care & Support Day in and day out newspapers are filled with news of assaults, physical and sexual abuse by current or former spouse; and the most victimized of this are women. In all societies, western or eastern it is quite a common phenomenon the magnitude of reporting or disclosure and awareness might vary; but everywhere women are more vulnerable to it. To clarify, domestic violence is not just limited to physical abuse, but verbal abuse, economic abuse and stalking is also a common phenomenon. The events of violence result in affecting the physical and emotional health of the victims involved (McCue, 2007, page 159). These incidences are so common that it is quoted that approximately one third of each women in the world has been beaten, coerced or abused because of the domestic issues. 1.2 Research Objective This paper attempts at studying the causes underlying in societies and economies whereby this problem exists on a higher scale than usual. The link will be identified between what circumstances that enhance the domestic disputes and issues understanding. 1.3 Research Question The research question can be stated in precise terms as follows: Why does domestic dispute and domestic violence problem exist at a higher scale in UAE? 1.4 Research Plan This research would aim to achieve its objectives by means of secondary research, using analyses of the existing literature. It would move towards analyzing various cases that we encounter in our routine activities at work. It would then also look at some similar cases occurring in other regions and develop comparative analyses behind the reasoning of these occurrences. As a conclusion, suggestions would be developed for improving this scenario. 1.5 Brief Overview These domestic issues arise normally because of economic problems the family household faces, the limitations and constraints frustrates the dominant partner in the household, who lets out his anger on to the weaker sex. Moreover, it is more psychological in nature – when one starts to feel the world is getting out of his or her hand, they turn to exert the power or the force on to someone who is lesser / weaker than themselves. And it is woman in majority of the cases. Since in many cultures, women are constrained to maintain house hold, bear children, feed and nourish them and also bear responsibility to take care of their spouses, they are the victims to the pressure. Any mistake or burden is not overlooked and they fall prey to the abuse (Burton, 2007, 121). Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1 Domestic Violence Domestic violence not only takes shape of violence on women but the whole family falls prey to it, which will be further discussed in more detail and the impacts and the consequences that it has on the development. These domestic issues involve pre birth violence which results in selection of sex before birth and abortion of the not required one (usually a girl – in most cultures), others include battering and hammering the women bearing the child, which has negative outcomes. Then infancy level violence is seen in the shape of female infanticide, physical, sexual and psychological abuse. These women as they reach girl hood are forced into child marriages, incest, prostitution and pornography forcefully and exposing themselves to the bad circumstances (Berry, 2007, page 111). Acid throwing, courtship violence, rape, coerced sex, harassment, murder, homicide, abuse etc; these never end even in the elderly stages where women fall victim to suicides or are murdered. Since women are the weaker souls, culture, economic, legal and even political factors in countries where women are not supported enough by various bills and laws, these domestic issues are not taken seriously. In countries where women have limited exposure and participation in politics, women are more prone to such conditions and situations (Nicholls, 2007, page 459). 2.2 Cases of Domestic Issues In various parts of the world, such as Australia such incidences have been reported. In Australia, where a renowned and a state owned statistical agency, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) collects data regarding the violence against women. It pointed out that 4.7% women in the country had been victims of physical violence and 1.6% had undergone the experience of facing sexual violence and these women were the victims since a young age of 15 years. These statistics also help in showing that age, race, religions, ability and among such other factors, none of the factor individually dominated the list; but, it was also observed that those vulnerable to such situations were mostly in the dire poverty circumstances. 2.3 Root Cause of Social and Economic Problems Many social and economic problems lead to domestic disputes and violence in homes; poverty is one major cause of violence against women (Berry, 2007, page 158); women requires higher independence and more economic opportunities to improve their stature in the family household where they prevail their life. Weak education levels, unawareness about their rights and being considered as deprived of the equitable rights makes women more submissive to their spouses who take advantage of the situation and maintain their power and control over women. Research also reveals that social and criminal perspectives also form the basis of violence in the domestic environment. Other psychological reasons have been also quoted for leading to the domestic issues and violence. Moreover, these domestic issues and violence do not come without costs. The costs come up in the shape of affecting quality of life, causing pain and suffering to the victims; this cause mental and physical trauma to the victims. This also has trickling affect on the economy; it disturbs their jobs, and ultimately affects their performance and the companies’ performance where they work (Hamel, 2007, page 342). 2.4 Failure of NGOs Researches reveal that despite of having many non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), many operating societies and communities to favor the battered and shattered women, provision of housing and shelter, employment opportunities there are many identifiable cases of domestic disputes and abuse (Jackson, 2007, page 233). This has led to emergence of many new professions also among them being counseling and community services. 2.5 Impact of Domestic Violence Domestic violence also affects family life. It has negative influence on the development of children living in the family environment; children develop behavioral problems (Soileau, 2008, page 77). Conjugal violence includes “any act of verbal or physical force, coercion or life threatening deprivation, directed at an individual woman…that causes physical or psychological harm, humiliation or arbitrary deprivation of liberty and that perpetuates female subordination”. Globally it has been observed that poor and young women are mostly victim. Lesbians, disabled and immigrant women, belonging to minorities are also facing the same problems. Literature also points out that violence and disputes are common in some geographic areas of the world than the others where such issues are much more prevalent than the others. Countries such as Nicaragua, Jamaica etc. no matter what, these women were and still are a victim, there is no one who can raise their voices to the brutalities of their spouses; there are no agencies, communities, and social and moral obligations that can rule out any such happenings on the women. These women are accustomed to the traditions and culture they are now a victim to. They cannot rebel to what they have been facing because their culture deems so. The men are the dominant powers who control the whole family world. 2.6 Possible Solutions Advocacy of women rights, awareness, education, resource provision and training, legal reforms can help in preventing and helping such disputes. Data collection and research, elimination of poverty, support, counseling, family courts and justice systems can help the victims to challenge men who are offenders. References Dawn Bradley Berry (2007) Domestic violence source book. Lowell House [278 pages] John Hamel, Tonia L. Nicholls (2007) Family interventions in domestic violence: a handbook of gender-inclusive theory and treatment. Springer Publishing Company [642 pages] Mandy Burton (2007) Legal Responses to Domestic Violence. Taylor & Francis [153 pages] Margi Laird McCue (2007) Domestic violence: a reference handbook Contemporary world issues. ABC-CLIO [328 pages] Monica Marie Singleton Soileau (2008) Domestic Violence: The Forgotten Victims. Xulon Press. [128 pages] Nicky Ali Jackson (2007) Encyclopedia of domestic violence. CRC Press [789 pages] Read More