Effects of Domestic Violence on Children - Essay Example

? Effects of Domestic Violence on Children Effects of Domestic Violence on Children Introduction Domestic violence has affected children mentally, psychologically and socially. Disturbing statistics has shown that about four million children in the United States experience domestic violence yearly (Patton, 2002). In Australia, 75,000 to 640,000 children get exposure to domestic violence. An Australian study showed that up to 40% of chronically violent teenagers have exposure to extreme domestic violence. These statistics become of great concern when viewed globally. Under these circumstances, children grow up in a very violent environment where they witness the physical abuse that their parents inflict on each other. Furthermore, they hear the fighting noises and threats from their parents. They observe the results of the violent acts such as bloodshed, torn clothing, bruises, tears as well as broken items. This paper seeks to show the effects of domestic violence on children. Psychological effects of domestic violence Children who get exposed to such acts of violence normally develop unnecessary fear and anxiety. They are always waiting for the next violence. They fear that any slight argument may lead to violence. As such, they do not feel safe in the home since they do not know what will trigger the next violence. They also feel powerless and worthless since they wish they could help, but they are not able to do so. It is this feeling of worthlessness that works against their self esteem. These children feel obliged to safeguard the family secrets. They, therefore, restrain themselves from exposing such secrets to outsiders (Zeck, 1993). For this reason, they look cool and composed from outside even when they are going through the toughest psychological torment. They do not seek help from out of fear of revealing the family secrets. Moreover, such children feel vulnerable and isolated. In some instances, they take the blame for the violence since they think that they are the cause. They grow up without the primary needs of a child such as attention, approval and affection. In such cases, mothers are normally busy trying to keep themselves safe and survive in a violent environment. They, therefore, forget their maternal role to the children. Fathers, on the other hand, struggle to seek control of everyone and forget their paternal role in the upbringing of their children. The children feel psychologically and physically abandoned. Emotional response to domestic violence in children Children may exhibit varied emotional responses to the domestic violence that they continually witness. Such response may include shame, fear, sleep disturbance, guilt, anger, depression among others. Moreover, such a child may also be affected physically by headache, stomachache, loss of concentration and bedwetting. Physical injuries may also come as a result of the struggle in an attempt to intervene during the violence (Gioia & Sims, 1983). Children who experience domestic violence also exhibit a number of behavioral changes in response to the violence. Such change in behavior includes anxiety to pleasing, throwing tantrums as well as withdrawal. This, in effect, affects their school attendance and performance. The children may also exhibit delay in growth and development. This includes developmental delays such as speech and cognitive skills. The children may also assume violence as a means of self expression and defense. They display increased force and aggression towards their peers. This makes their social lives harder since they are not able to socialize with people. Another adverse effect of domestic violence on children is compensation. In many cases, the children take care of their parents injured in domestic violence as well as their younger siblings. This way, they take up adult roles that are far above their ability. Consequently, there is a delay in the child’s emotional and physical development (Daly, Speedy &Jackson, 2004). Long term Effects of Domestic Violence in Children Domestic violence has long term effect on the children involved. The psychological and the physical trauma that these children suffer affect them in the long run. This environment denies the children a life that promotes healthy development. Such children grow up with a wrong perception of marriage and intimacy. In their perception, one needs to use excess force and violence in order to obtain what they want from their spouses. It is, therefore, most likely that these children will end up with such violent acts when they eventually get married. Moreover, such acts of violence make the children disrespectful to their mothers. A mother lacks moral authority over her children when they continually see their father abusing the mother. As such, she cannot correct them when they go wrong. Children who grow up in violent families get the perception that the only effective tool to solving domestic conflicts is by violence (Joubish, 2009). Children from homes with violence are highly at risk of juvenile delinquency, alcohol, drug abuse, stress disorders among others. In a more advanced state, this may ultimately lead to adult criminality. These adverse effects that arise from domestic violence greatly hinder the overall achievement of the child's development. This fact is normally unknown to most parents who get involved in domestic violence. They do not realize that this behavior affects their lives, and that of their children. It is critical that these parents stop such behavior in the interest of their children. This will save the future of the estimated 275 million children below the age of 17 years in the world who suffer because of domestic violence (Sultan, 1998). The number of children brought up in a very violent environment will greatly reduce. Furthermore, they will not hear the fighting noises and threats from their parents. They will not observe the results of the violent acts such as bloodshed, tore clothing, bruises, tears as well as broken items. Effects of Parental Behavior and Domestic Violence Battered women incur both mental and physical injuries, the effects of such acts ruins the otherwise good lives of their children. A tragic reality that many parents do not know is domestic violence affects children in both subtle and overt ways (Hamel, 2000). The truth is that the child gets greatly hurt as they witness their parents abusing each other. As a result, they feel shame, fear, sleep disturbance, guilt, anger, depression among others. Moreover, such a child may also be affected physically by headache, stomachache, loss of concentration and bedwetting. Physical injuries may also come as a result of the struggle in an attempt to intervene during the violence. Research has further indicated that children who come from families that experience domestic violence are likely to run away from home. This research revealed that 85% of such children had run away from home and stayed with friends or relatives twice (John 1993). A similar research revealed that children who come from such backgrounds get seriously neglected or physically abused at a rate of 1500%. This is greater than the standard national average and is a genuine cause for alarm. Serious mechanisms need to be put in place in order to protect these children who become helpless in the society. Children are good imitators by nature. They normally copy what they see their elder siblings and parents do. As a result, children who come from violent homes do acquire such violent behavior by virtue of imitation. This way, behavior that promotes domestic violence propagates from generation to generation (Davis, 1995). This is because, the children get to appreciate and accept violence as an important aspect of relationships and intimacy. Such children grow into abusive adults. They also adopt control and domination as part and parcel of relationships. In some instances, the children are the actual target of violence. The abuser uses children to hurt his or her spouse. Although these children are innocent, they now become the center of violence and tool for violence. One of the spouses may physically hurt a child in order to offend the other spouse. Worse still, a parent may withdraw his or her parental obligation to his or her child in order to hurt the other spouse. In other cases, the abused parent may render vengeance on the innocent child. The children from such families also end up with divided loyalties as they seek to please each of their parents. Such children fail to understand the reason behind such animosity between parents both of whom they love. Such children feel guilty and shameful to the extent that they isolate themselves from other family members as well as peers. The children also fail to trust other people who may offer genuine love for them. Having witnessed violence by their own parents they find it hard to appreciate other people who may offer them genuine love. They always treat everyone who comes their way with suspicion, and this affects their social life. Moreover, they may never trust their own parents even when they have recovered from violent behaviors. Disorders in Children affected by Domestic Violence Domestic violence also results in severe disorders, in children. Children who come from families with domestic violence have characteristics of low self confidence and low self esteem. Such children fail to manage the situation in their own life. Moreover, conditions like phobia, stress disorder, Insomnia, psychosomatic illness, depression, and stuttering, impaired concentration among others are common among children who come from abusive and chaotic homes (Dan, 2009). Children blame themselves for the violence and respond to this in diverse ways such as developing suicidal thoughts. There is a lack of emotional attachment between the child and their supposed primary caregivers. As a result, these children experience a number of complications such as stunted growth and absence of stimulation. Moreover, they may experience sleeping and eating disorders. Such infants, therefore, experience great challenges in development as well as their overall well being (Ross, 1991). Signs in affected children The greatly affected age group of children by domestic violence are those who are in adolescence or teenage. Such children normally try as much as possible to hide their family secrets due to embarrassment. They isolate themselves from others and do not ever attempt to bring them home. In extreme cases, some of the teenagers may opt into criminal activities or sexual activities. Their anxiety is evident through habits like, hair pulling, nail biting as well as other self-mutilating activities (Brenner, 1997). Conclusion Domestic violence is a global problem that affects children adversely. Little information is available about the full extent of the problem. It affects children’s’ physical, emotional and social development. Children need a safe and secure home environment. They need to know that they can get protection from other adults. They need to learn that domestic violence is wrong and that there are other ways to solve conflicts between parents. Governments have the responsibility to create policies and laws that protect children. There is an urgent need of mechanisms to solve the problem as it is becoming a continuing cycle of violence from generation to generation. References Brenner, S.,1997. Children interaction networks, New York: Penguin Books. Daly, J,, Speedy, S. and Jackson, D. 2004. Domestic Violence and Leadership,Sydney: Elsevier. Dan, K., 2009. The Future Generation Plan Guide. London:, Routledge. Davis, L.,1975. Perception of Domestic Violence. New York: Business Horizons Publishers. Gioia, D.and Sims, H. 1983. In search for behavior and reputation. London: The Guardian. Hamel, G., 2000. Leading the revolution.UK: Oxford University Press. John, H., 1993. The Civilization of Europe in the Renaissance. London: King’s Fund Publishers. Joubish, F., 2009. Educational Research, Karachi, Pakistan: Federal Urdu University Press. Patton, M., 2002. Secrets to a peaceful home. California: Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks. Ross, B., 1991. Exploring the aftermath of domestic violence. New York: Longhorn Publishers, Oxford University Press. Sultan, M., 1998. Family ethics, Nairobi: Oxford Publishers. Zeck, H., 1993. 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