Sociology

The term domestic violence is usually used synonymously with domestic abuse. Domestic abuse occurs when one partner in a family relationship or a marriage strives to totally dominate and control his or her spouse or any other member of the family. When this abuse escalates to physical abuse, it is termed as domestic violence. Domestic violence can also be understood to include any act of gender-based violence that could result in physical, sexual and psychological harm in its victim (Medline Plus, 2009). In intimate relationships and marriage, women are most likely to be the victims of domestic violence, even though men have also been victims from abusive spouses. Either, domestic violence may also be extended to children.

Domestic violence is becoming a more common occurrence in most parts of the world permeating through age, cultural, religious and racial boundaries. There have been various attempts to explain why people in a relationship, marital or otherwise, abuse their spouses or children. A majority of perpetrators of this vice, after subjected to studies exhibited personality disorders emanating from borderline personality traits acquired in earlier stages of personal development (Rosenbaum  Geffner, 2002). Social factors play the most significant role in the development of deviancy of this type as opposed to genetically acquired character traits, mental conditions and psychopathic characteristics. External factors like the family environment the perpetrator grew in and depressive illnesses also cause domestic violence (Rosenbaum  Geffner, 2002).

Research suggests that people who are most dependent on their partners for financial well being are more prone to domestic violence that those that are financially independent dependence on spouse for upkeep leaves one with less power in the relationship and the fear associated with uncertainty of economic well-being leaves someone with fewer or no options but to cope with an abusive partner (McCue, 2007). When family pressure begins to mount, a person may suffer from stress and panic attacks. Even though stress is not a direct cause of aggression, some individuals may respond to it by becoming violent, venting their frustrations on their spouses. Research has also indicated that families with a financial deficiency or those living in poverty are more likely to be characterized by abusive relations and domestic violence (McCue, 2007). Poverty leads to a lack of fulfillment and men under such circumstances often feel insufficient and are constantly afraid of losing their honor and respect because of not being as successful as they would have wanted to be. Some may therefore result to substance abuse and aggression to soothe their shattered egos and express masculinity.

There is a justifiable belief that exposure to violence, either as a victim or a witness, creates a tendency of imitation. People who have been subjected to violence at earlier stages of life may perpetrate it or be submissive when violent acts are done against them (Medline Plus, 2009). Submission encourages the perpetrator to continue subjecting the victim to aggravate his or her aggression. Some family relationships are characterized by a struggle for dominance. Domestic violence thus arises out of the need of either partners need to exercise power and control over the other probably attributed to the man or woman having low self-esteem and other feelings of inadequacy or just hostility against women or men respectively. Such feelings usually arise as a result of unresolved childhood conflicts, personality disorders, genetic characteristics, socio-cultural inclinations and influences among other reasons (McCue, 2007). Other possible causes of domestic violence include psychiatric disorders like Schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, anti-social tendencies, drug abuse and alcoholism.

Domestic violence results into devastating effects that linger around the victim long after even the abuse has stopped. Besides physical injuries, victims of domestic violence are adversely affected psychologically and the quality of their lives and that of their children is compromised (Medline Plus, 2009). It is an abuse of individual rights and leads to depression, lack of confidence and self esteem, anti-socialism, and induced counter-violence (Rosenbaum  Geffner, 2002). Many felons in prisons blame their violence and criminal tendencies on the violence they were subjected to directly or indirectly during their formative stages. It is emotionally ravaging for a child to witness one of its parents being physically or sexually assaulted a child who witnesses violence at home gets desensitized to all forms of violence and perceives violence as a socially acceptable method of settling disputes or reinforcing ones social status (Rosenbaum  Geffner, 2002). In as such, it will be easier for such a child to witness or commit acts of violence such as rape and assault.

Domestic violence, besides causing physical injuries and emotional harm to victims, the perpetrators and their immediate family members also deals a devastating blow to social and economic harmony and progress (Medline Plus, 2009). It is therefore necessary to come up with decisive approaches to stop this vice from causing any further compromise to individual rights, self esteem and dignity. Governing authorities should be on the forefront by not only enacting but also enforcing policy and legislative statutes to deal with offenders. Social institutions at community level including police departments, hospitals and social workgroups should work in liaison to sensitize the community on the dangers of domestic violence, how to identify and deal with domestic abuse while putting in place a mechanism of rehabilitating victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.