Domestic Violence amongst the Hispanic People - Thesis Example

Each and every year, thousands of women of Hispanic origin are always domestically abused, and theynormally struggle to balance off their personal safety, with other competing goals such as financial security, family unity, and cultural loyalty. Furthermore, it is the undocumented Hispanic immigrants who usually suffer the most from domestic violence (Fisman and Edward, 2008). This is because their immigration status will most definitely cause a roadblock in their desire to escape domestic abuse. When a Hispanic individual is undocumented, this immigrant will have to consider a number of repercussions before she or he can decide to report the domestic violence to social service agencies, or even the police. For example, Fisman and Edward (2008) explain that when the undocumented immigrant reports the violence to the police, she may risk deportation because she is not residing genuinely in the United States. This will make her suffer more, mainly because she is unable to gain protection from the state or federal agencies responsible for protecting people residing in the United States (Muniz, 214). Furthermore, most male Hispanic figures are aware of this limitation, and on this basis, they will continue abusing their women, and imposing their dominance against them. Fisman and Edward (2008) has a different view of this situation. Bergad and Herbert (2010) explains that even amongst the documented Hispanic families, there is a high rate of domestic violence. This is despite the aggrieved parties constantly reporting this violence to the police, and to social agencies responsible for protecting the welfare of the vulnerable. Fisman and Edward (2008) therefore dismiss the notion that there are high rates of domestic violence amongst the undocumented immigrants because of their immigration status which is illegal in the United States. Bergad and Herbert (2010) believe that the major reason of domestic violence amongst the Hispanic people is poverty. Tienda and Faith (2006) provides an explanation that most Hispanic individuals are living in poverty, in the United States. This is mainly because most of them are immigrants, and when they enter United States, they normally do not have any stable sources of income. Furthermore, majority of the Hispanic people are undocumented immigrants, and on this basis, they are always unable to acquire good jobs, because they do not have supporting documents that can enable them get the jobs under consideration. This situation contributes to poverty amongst the Hispanic community. Bergad and Herbert (2010) explain that poverty is one of the major causes of domestic violence amongst the Hispanic people. Fisman and Edward (2008) further explain that poverty plays a great role in determining who the aggressor is in domestic violence. For instance, amongst the Hispanic communities, there is a cultural belief that the male figure is the provider and protector of the home. On this basis, the entire family usually looks upon the man, as a source of livelihood and living. Bergad and Herbert (2010) goes on to explain that if the male figure under consideration is unable to provide, he becomes depressed, and turns violent to his wife, and children. On this basis, Tienda and Faith (2006) provides an explanation that in circumstances where the male figure is the sole bread winner of the family, then it is the male figure who is an aggressor. Furthermore, Tienda and Faith (2006) provides an explanation that a woman can also be a sole bread winner in an Hispanic community. This involves circumstance when she is a single mother, or even when her husband does not have a job. In such kind of circumstances, Bergad and Herbert (2010) provides an explanation that the woman can turn violent on her children or even male counterpart, when she is unable to provide for the family. These violence behaviors usually emanate because of stress, or even depression that the bread winner of the family will face. However, Fisman and Edward (2008) disagree with this notion that the person who provides an income is always an aggressor in a domestic violence. Fisman and Edward (2008) explain that in certain circumstances, a spouse may be abusive, when his or her partner is unable to provide for the family. Fisman and Edward (2008) explain that in these types of relationships, the partners within the relationship have always monetized their relationships. On this basis, the relationship under consideration is based on the ability of an individual to provide for the family, or not. Tienda and Faith (2006) goes on to explain that domestic violence can either be, physical, psychological, or even emotional. Physical violence emanates when a spouse uses force to assault their partners. On the other hand, emotional, as well as psychological violence emanates when words are used to abusive a particular spouse, or partner. Bergad and Herbert (2010) provides an explanation that physical violence amongst the Hispanics is always perpetrated by the males, while psychological, as well as emotional violence is always perpetrated by the female members of the Hispanic community. Tienda and Faith (2006) explains that this is made possible because of the cultural beliefs of the Hispanic people, which always view the male, as the most dominant people within the community, and the females as inferior to the male. On this note, male are allowed to use physical force to prove their dominance, while the female can use their verbal prowess to protect and defend themselves. Bergad and Herbert (2010) explains that poverty and domestic violence are part and parcel of the lives of very many people. On this basis, poverty does not only affect the Hispanic people, but it also affects other communities as well. It is important to give an explanation that economic downturns normally result to an increase in poverty, as well as domestic violence ((Muniz, 2014). On this basis, most experts believe that the domestic violence experienced within the Hispanic communities is not going to improve sooner. This is mainly because the Hispanics are known to always live in poverty. Poverty and the various strains that normally accompany poverty can make people residing in poor households to feel angry, inadequate, useless, as well as frustrated. Unfortunately, Fisman and Edward (2008) explains that it is the other family members who normally experience an outlet of this anger. Furthermore, Scholar explains that on most occasions, domestic violence is not reported and it is kept quiet, after which the person who has committed the violence will become remorseful after each and every outbursts of anger. Scholar further explains that women will always blame themselves for the violence, claiming that they are not supportive of their men, while men may also blame themselves for the violence claiming that they are not supportive of their women. This therefore creates a vicious cycle of violence and blames which most men and women will find it difficult to escape. Furthermore, Tienda and Faith (2006) explains that a woman who suffers from poverty and domestic violence will always face many struggles and problems in the future. This includes stigmatization, as well as the development of diseases due to high stress levels or depression. Fisman and Edward (2008) continues by denoting that the self-confidence of a woman may become destroyed, and this might affect their ability to work effectively at their respective jobs. Jindra (2014) is quick to denote that this situation does not only affect the Hispanic women, but all women who are faced with domestic violence. In conclusion, Tienda and Faith (2006) denote that poverty is the major cause of violence amongst the Hispanic community. However, experts disagree on the major perpetrators of domestic violence. For instance, some believe that it is the male figures who are the main perpetrators of domestic violence. This is because of their masculine nature, and their capability to inflict physical injuries. However, other experts believe that women also play a great role in promoting domestic violence. According to their arguments, violence encompasses both physical, as well as emotional perspectives. On most occasions, women use verbal words to abuse their partners, and those living with them. To solve this issue of domestic violence amongst the Hispanic community, Tienda and Faith (2006) explains that there is a need of solving the problems of poverty amongst the Hispanic community. To solve this problem of poverty, Scholar believes that there is a need of coming up with immigration policies that are favorable to the Hispanics. However, this is unlikely, mainly because immigration is a sensitive issue in the United States that has attracted a strong political debate. References: Bergad, Laird W., and Herbert S. (2010) Klein.Hispanics in the United States: a demographic, social, and economic history, 1980-2005. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. This book talks about the lives of the Hispanic community in the United States. It identifies the various factors that shape their social as well as economic behavior, and also talks about the immigration debate in the United States. Fisman, Raymond, and Edward Miguel. (2008) Economic gangsters: corruption, violence, and the poverty of nations. Princeton: Princeton University Press. This book identifies the role of poverty in promoting violence in the United States. It also talks about domestic violence amongst marginalized groups in the United States, and the role of poverty in promoting this violence. Jindra, Michael. (2014) "The Dilemma of Equality and Diversity." Current Anthropology 1: 000. Print. This article concerns itself with the aspect of equality and diversity amongst the various communities, and it explains the factors that lead to violence in a community. It concerns itself with how to promote equality within communities residing in a state. Muniz, Ana. (2014) "Maintaining Racial Boundaries: Criminalization, Neighborhood Context, and the Origins of Gang Injunctions." Social Problems 62.2: 216-232. This article talks about race, and violence. It tries to identify how race is associated with criminal activities, and the negative labeling that normally arises because of racial orientations. It also identifies the causes of violence amongst the racial groups. Tienda, Marta, and Faith Mitchell. (2006) Multiple origins, uncertain destinies Hispanics and the American future. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press. This book talks about the life of the Hispanic people in United States, and their social as well as political believes. It also explains how poverty plays a role in shaping the political, as well as the social behavior of the Hispanics in the United States. This book also explains the reasons as to why the Hispanics are always poor, and why it is difficult to remove them from these poverty chains. Read More