We have spent the past seven weeks discussing many issues the 21st century family faces, to include changing familial roles, divorce/remarriage, and child socialization. One incredibly important issue that many families face is that of domestic violence. With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experiencing some form of physical violence (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control as cited in National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, n.d.), in addition to 1 in 9 children exposed to physical and/or psychological violence within their family (Hamby, Finkelhor, Turner & Ormrod, 2011), statistics prove that domestic violence impacts a much larger proportion of our society than what we may think. According to Vision.org, “… family violence
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Unfortunately, 40% of children who witness family violence are also victims of child abuse (World Health Organization, 2002 as cited in UNICEF, 2006). Babies and young children exposed to violence in the home may have compromised brain development which can, in turn “impair congnitive and sensory growth” (Osofsky, J., 1999, as cited in UNICEF, 2006). Older children may experience decreased learning abilities, personality and behavioural problems such as psychosomatic illnesses, depression, suicidal tendencies, and bed-wetting (Fantuzzo, J. & and Mohr, W., 1999, as cited in UNICEF, 2006). As they age, children exposed to family violence are at an increased risk for “substance abuse, juvenile pregnancy and criminal behaviour” (Felitti V.J. et al, 1998, as cited in UNICEF, 2006). While all of these effects are awful in their own right, one of the greatest long term effects is the increased probability that children who witness violence within their home will perpetuate the cycle of violence as adults. Boys who witness this type of violence while growing up are more likely to violently abuse as adults while girls who witness it are more likely to tolerate this type of abuse as adults (Hotaling, G. & Sugarman, D., 1986 as cited in A.A.R.D.V.A.R.C.org, …show more content…
It is not only important that we find a way to reduce family violence for those being abused, but additionally for those unintentially affected who may perpetuate the cycle of violence in the future. One of the main problems associated with family violence is that a majority of occurences go unreported- meaning that any esitmates pertaining to the frequency and number affected are going to underestimate the severity of the problem (Vision.org, 2010). One study found multiple reasons family violence went unrreported, ranging from wishing to protect the abuser to the issue being viewed as a “family matter” to fear that reporting the incident may cause increased abuse in the future (Gaille,
Unfortunately, 40% of children who witness family violence are also victims of child abuse (World Health Organization, 2002 as cited in UNICEF, 2006). Babies and young children exposed to violence in the home may have compromised brain development which can, in turn “impair congnitive and sensory growth” (Osofsky, J., 1999, as cited in UNICEF, 2006). Older children may experience decreased learning abilities, personality and behavioural problems such as psychosomatic illnesses, depression, suicidal tendencies, and bed-wetting (Fantuzzo, J. & and Mohr, W., 1999, as cited in UNICEF, 2006). As they age, children exposed to family violence are at an increased risk for “substance abuse, juvenile pregnancy and criminal behaviour” (Felitti V.J. et al, 1998, as cited in UNICEF, 2006). While all of these effects are awful in their own right, one of the greatest long term effects is the increased probability that children who witness violence within their home will perpetuate the cycle of violence as adults. Boys who witness this type of violence while growing up are more likely to violently abuse as adults while girls who witness it are more likely to tolerate this type of abuse as adults (Hotaling, G. & Sugarman, D., 1986 as cited in A.A.R.D.V.A.R.C.org, …show more content…
It is not only important that we find a way to reduce family violence for those being abused, but additionally for those unintentially affected who may perpetuate the cycle of violence in the future. One of the main problems associated with family violence is that a majority of occurences go unreported- meaning that any esitmates pertaining to the frequency and number affected are going to underestimate the severity of the problem (Vision.org, 2010). One study found multiple reasons family violence went unrreported, ranging from wishing to protect the abuser to the issue being viewed as a “family matter” to fear that reporting the incident may cause increased abuse in the future (Gaille,