Introduction
Domestic violence and spanking are two serious issues that have been plaguing family dynamics for centuries. Domestic violence is a serious issue that can occur in any relationship, whether it be between spouses, family members, or even someone outside the family. It is a pattern of behavior that can include physical, psychological, verbal, and emotional abuse and is typically used to gain control over another person. Spanking is a form of physical punishment used to discipline children and can involve striking a child with an open hand or an object. While it is traditionally viewed as an acceptable form of discipline, the use of spanking has been associated with a number of adverse outcomes for children, including decreased cognitive functioning, increased aggression, and depression. Both domestic violence and spanking are serious issues and must be addressed in order to create healthy and safe family dynamics. This paper will explore various issues connected to domestic violence.
Elements of Domestic Violence Using an Expanded Model
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse is the most common form of domestic violence and can include any physical force used to inflict harm. Physical abuse includes slapping, pushing, punching, choking, strangling, kicking, burning, and using weapons. Physical abuse can also involve threats of physical harm, such as the threat of a weapon being used against the victim (Power and Control, 2021).
Psychological Abuse
Psychological abuse is a form of domestic violence involving using words and actions to control, manipulate, or belittle another person. Examples of psychological abuse include name-calling, insults, humiliation, intimidation, threats, isolation, and stalking. Psychological abuse can also include manipulating the victim’s environment, such as controlling whom they can talk to or where they can go.
Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is a type of domestic violence that involves the use of financial resources to control another person. Examples of financial abuse include controlling access to money, refusing to contribute to the household finances, preventing the victim from getting a job, or stealing the victim’s money or possessions (Power and Control, 2021). Financial abuse can also involve forcing the victim to take out loans in their name or to sign over their property.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse is a form of domestic violence that involves any type of sexual activity that is forced, coerced, or unwanted. Examples of sexual abuse include rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation. Sexual abuse can also include threats of sexual violence, such as the threat of rape or the threat of being exposed to sexually explicit material.
Intimidation
Intimidation is a form of domestic violence that involves the use of fear to control or manipulate another person. Examples of intimidation include making threats, displaying weapons, or destroying property. Intimidation can also involve making the victim feel guilty or ashamed, or manipulating the victim’s environment.
Using Children
Using children is a type of domestic violence that involves using children to control or manipulate the victim. Examples of using children include using them as a pawn or bargaining chips, or manipulating them to make the victim feel guilty or ashamed.
Isolation
Isolation is a form of domestic violence that involves the victim’s social environment being controlled or manipulated. Examples of isolation include controlling whom the victim can talk to, where they can go, or preventing them from having contact with friends or family (Power and Control, 2021). Isolation can also involve monitoring the victim’s phone calls, emails, or text messages.
Minimizing, Denying, and Blaming
Minimizing, denying, and blaming are all types of domestic violence that involve the perpetrator minimizing the severity of the abuse, denying that it happened, or blaming the victim for the abuse. Examples of this type of behavior include the perpetrator denying that the abuse happened, shifting the blame to the victim, or claiming that the abuse was not as bad as the victim claims.
Using Male Privilege
Using male privilege is a form of domestic violence involving the perpetrator using their power or privilege to control or manipulate the victim. Examples of using male privilege include using a masculine gender role to control the victim or using a patriarchal mindset to justify the abuse.
Economic Abuse
Economic abuse is a form of domestic violence that involves controlling or manipulating the victim’s access to economic resources (Power and Control, 2021). Examples of economic abuse include controlling access to money, refusing to contribute to the household finances, or preventing the victim from getting a job. Economic abuse can also involve stealing the victim’s money or possessions.
Spiritual Abuse
Spiritual abuse is a type of domestic violence that involves the use of religious beliefs or practices to control or manipulate the victim. Examples of spiritual abuse include using religious beliefs to justify the abuse or using religious practices to control the victim’s behavior.
Who can be victims, and who can be perpetrators of abuse?
Victims of abuse can be anyone, including adults, children, and individuals with disabilities. Women, the elderly, and members of the LGBTQ+ community may also face higher rates of abuse (Bilali, R., & Vollhardt, 2019). On the other hand, perpetrators of abuse can be anyone, though specific individuals may be more likely to be perpetrators than others. Perpetrators can be family members, intimate partners, or strangers. They may also be people in positions of power, such as authority figures or employers. In addition, perpetrators of abuse often have a history of violent or abusive behavior (Bilali, R., & Vollhardt, 2019). They may also have a history of substance abuse, mental health issues, or a lack of impulse control.
Why Partners Continue to Be in Violent/Abusive Relationships
Many victims of domestic violence remain in abusive relationships because of a wide variety of reasons. One of the most common reasons is fear. Victims may be afraid of escalating violence, so they stay in the relationship, hoping the violence will eventually subside. They may also be afraid of their partner’s reaction if they try to leave (Nicolson, 2019). Abusive partners often use a variety of tactics—such as threats, intimidation, and economic abuse—to control their victims and prevent them from leaving. Victims of domestic violence may also stay in a relationship because of feelings of shame or guilt. Victims may feel ashamed that they are in an abusive relationship, and they may be embarrassed to tell family and friends. Victims may also be convinced that the abuse is their fault, and they may feel guilty for not being able to stop the abuse (Nicolson, 2019). Again, victims may also stay in an abusive relationship because of a lack of financial resources. Abusive partners often try to control their victims by taking away their money or preventing them from finding employment. As a result, victims may feel like they have no other choice but to stay in the relationship.
The best suggestion to eliminate family violence from society
The best suggestion to eliminate family violence from society is to raise awareness and provide education on the subject. It is important to educate families on how to identify and respond to signs of family violence, as well as how to prevent it from occurring in the first place. This can be done through workshops, seminars, and other educational initiatives (Hines, Malley-Morrison & Dutton, 2020). Additionally, it is important to provide resources to those affected by family violence, including counseling, shelter, and legal assistance. By providing those affected with the support they need, families can be empowered to take action and break out of the cycle of violence. Additionally, it is important to provide support for perpetrators of family violence and hold them accountable for their actions. This can be done through counseling, rehabilitation, and other forms of treatment. By providing perpetrators with the resources they need to make positive changes, society can work to prevent further violence from occurring (Hines, Malley-Morrison & Dutton, 2020). Ultimately, by raising awareness and educating the public, society can work together to eliminate family violence from our society.
Conclusion
Domestic violence is a serious problem that can have far-reaching and devastating consequences for victims, their families and communities. It is imperative that we recognize the signs of domestic violence and take action to end it. This can be done through education, public policy, and providing resources to help victims and survivors. We must also work together to create an environment where domestic violence is not tolerated and victims feel safe to speak out and seek help. By focusing on prevention, intervention and support, we can help ensure that all individuals are safe and free from violence in their relationships.
References
“Power and Control.” The Hotline, 29 Nov. 2021, https://www.thehotline.org/identify-abuse/power-and-control/.
Bilali, R., & Vollhardt, J. R. (2019). Victim and perpetrator groups’ divergent perspectives on collective violence: Implications for intergroup relations. Political Psychology, 40, 75-108.
Hines, D. A., Malley-Morrison, K., & Dutton, L. B. (2020). Family violence in the United States: Defining, understanding, and combating abuse. Sage Publications.
Nicolson, P. (2019). Domestic violence and psychology: Critical perspectives on intimate partner violence and abuse. Routledge.
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