Women with Children Dealing With Domestic Violence - Research Paper Example

Women with Children Dealing with Domestic Violence Women with Children Dealing with Domestic Violence Introduction Domestic violence refers to the pattern of behaviors that involve abuses or violence by people staying in a domestic context, pitting each other like the case of cohabitation or marriage (Jackson, 2007). The intimate partner violence can also be described as domestic violence by the partner or spouse in that particular intimate relationship over the other partner or spouse. It is important to understand that domestic violence can happen in relationships of the same sex or can also be heterosexual. This paper examines the effect of domestic violence on women that have young children they are looking after, looking at its effects on the young children. Beliefs and attitudes on domestic violence Domestic violence often takes various forms including emotional abuse, verbal, physical, sexual as well as economic, ranging from coercive forms that are subtle to those involving marital rape, violent physical abuses that end up in various disfigurement of one or all the parties and even causes death (Jackson, 2007). On the global level, female partners have often been the victims of these acts, although in some instances, men have also been known to suffer from domestic violence. Additionally, both parties can also take part in the domestic violence. In other instances, victims of domestic violence have also been those acting in a way of self defense or revenge. In many countries, domestic violence against women is often reported, but that involving men has always gone unreported because of the social pressures associated with such reporting. Most men want to protect their ego, preferring to die in their pains that being labeled as the weakest among men that often want to be the heroes in such violence. Most men fear being victims of social stigma in regard to their apparent lack of machismo as well as other kinds of denigrations for their respective masculinity (Kenney, 2012). Local Politics on domestic violence Abused women often live in real fear, being unable to make predictions of when the next violent attacks will appear. Some of the women can be isolated from their families and friends and increasingly become dependent on the abuser. In this case, it becomes hard to explain the things happening in her mind. In many instances, the woman can lose their self esteem; in such a condition, some women become remorseful blaming the abuse on themselves. In various instances, women have been known to accustomed to these abuses in the hope that their partners can change, they end up facing serious abuses, especially when they depend on their partners for most of their social and economic welfare (Kenney, 2012). Such women tend to hold on in their relationships in the hope that their partners still love them and that they will change with time. Such thoughts have led many women to suffer extreme abuses. Human rights advocates have often explained that women that experience abuse relationships have a right to report such cases in order to avoid further abuses and those of the children in case they have them. Domestic violence between the man and women that have children have always resulted in instances where children are left to suffer because of lack of parental guidance (Roleff, 2000). Sometimes, both parties will not want to take the responsibility of caring for the children, without prior intervention, the children can end up growing without parental guidance and love, which is essential for right upbringing. Local economy and businesses The devastating results and effects of domestic violence against women have been documented effectively in many places. It is important to realize that so far, little has been known for the children that often witness their parents or caregivers getting subjected to various forms of domestic violence. Children that get exposed to various forms of domestic violence have been known to suffer from various lasting effects. In this case, children that are raised up in environments characterized by domestic violence tend to suffer directly from such abuses. These effects include behavioral, physical and psychological, which tends to be the most common and widespread. Psychological effects make it hard for such children to concentrate in their school work for those schooling. Some tend to have withdrawal symptoms, preferring to stay and keep to themselves. Most of the children suffering from domestic violence tend to have limited social skills and learning difficulties as noted before. Later, these children may end up having delinquent and other risky behaviors while interacting with other children. In their early years, these children are often very vulnerable, requiring keen attention and care from their parents and caregivers. Studies on these issues have actually revealed that domestic violence happens to be prevalent in homes with younger children compared to those with older children. Dealing with Domestic Violence For women with young children, dealing with domestic violence can be very challenging. This is because. They have to provide social security to their children while at the same time take care of their marriage or existing relationships (Wilson, 2009). In instances where children have been victims of the violence, women tend to take the burden of taking care of the children compared to men, who in most cases care less about the resulting outcomes of the violence. In cases where the woman feels overwhelmed by the violence, the best option is always to file a divorce so that the court of law provides the direction on how the custody of the children and support is to be done among the man and women. If women decide to take care of the children (Wilson, 2009), the court often decides on the manner in which the man has to be involved in caring for the children. This is often thought to be the best way since both parties have a right to ensure that their children are brought up in the best way possible. Income Distribution Where the woman finds it hard to take care of the children, it is often recommended that she takes her children for adoption in government established centres (Amal B, Ran & Nabil, 2013). However, she has to demonstrate without reasonable doubt that she is completely unable to handle the burden of taking care of the children. Generally, it is always advised that people in relationships learn how to solve their differences amicably so that they can avoid incidences of domestic violence, which has devastating effects on the man and woman and the children. Conclusion In conclusion, it is important for women that report cases of domestic violence to attend counseling sessions with marriage counselors or other resourceful persons that can help them deal with these instances in their lives. This is always important because it helps the women to devise better alternatives for solving their problems instead of resorting to violence. Where the violence has happened, counseling helps to restore the self esteem and confidence to these women so that they can take care of their children effectively without being distracted with emotional pains. The counselors have to take time to understand the root causes of the particular problems and help the women to establish lasting solutions that can save the marriages the welfare of their children in the most effective way. Currently, human rights activities have been active in calling for active use of dialogue in solving issues in the homes in order to avoid instances of domestic violence. Whenever, it happens, human rights activists often emphasize for the rule of law to be followed in order to protect the children and other parties being affected by the violence. References Amal B, Rana G, & Nabil A. (2013). Womens Rights in the Middle East and North Africa – Yemen. Retrieved from. < http://www.refworld.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/rwmain?docid=47387b712f > Jackson, N. (2007). Encyclopedia of domestic violence. New York: Routledge. Kenney, K. (2012). Domestic violence. Edina, Minn.: ABDO Pub. Roleff, T. (2000). Domestic violence: Opposing viewpoints. San Diego, Calif.: Greenhaven Press. Wilson, M. (2009). Domestic violence. Detroit: Greenhaven Press. Read More