Domestic Violence In Richard Wright's Native Son

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Children who have been exposed to domestic violence often learn destructive traits about violence and power in relationships. Children may begin to think that it is acceptable to exercise control or ease stress by using violence, or that violence is related to expressions of intimacy and affection. “Children are often seen as passive witnesses who ‘suffer in silence’’ (Katz 70). These lessons can have a powerful effect on children in social situations and intimate relationships throughout the rest of their life. Teenage dating violence is widespread with serious long-term and short-term effects. “Teens cited the believed they ‘deserve’ the abuse, and therefore, do not want to report the events” (Herrman Many teens do not report it because …show more content…
The abusers intentions may not be to target their victim for specifically, but for reasons outside of the relationship. "The moment a situation became so that it excited something in him, he rebelled. That was the way he lived; he passed his days trying to defeat or gratify powerful impulses in a world he feared." (Wright 44). The novel Native Son displays a lot of domestic violence, mainly in the main character. This man had been talked down to and treated poorly his whole life by family and strangers. He was targeted due to his race, financial status, and inability to take care of his family properly. Once he has committed an act of violence he continues down that path because he enjoys the feeling of having control and power, something he would not normally have. In many ways this character relates to abusers because what they are really just looking for is a scapegoat to their own personal …show more content…
The abuser will only consider their own feelings and what they want at the time. Whatever the victim does could cause the abuser to attack again in a mental or physical way. Abusers use fear, guilt, shame, and intimidation to wear the victim down because the fastest way to harm a person is through their insecurities. The abuser may also threaten, hurt, or hurt those around the victim to prove their dominance and cause more fear in the victim. If the abuser is willing to hurt others too then the victim may feel that if they try to leave their family may receive further abuse. Domestic violence can happen to anyone; it happens among heterosexual couples and in same-sex partnerships. It occurs within all age ranges, ethnic backgrounds, and economic levels. And while women are more commonly victimized, men are also abused; especially verbally and emotionally, although sometimes even physically as well. The bottom line is that abusive behavior is never acceptable, whether it’s coming from a man, a woman, a teenager, or an older adult. All humans in general deserve to feel valued, respected, and safe with themselves and those around

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