Sociology Dissertation

“Silent Witness”: Children and the Cumulative Effects of Domestic Abuse



Abstract

Domestic abuse is defined as a global epidemic, identified as a serious public health problem creating worldwide attention concerning the effect it has women victims and their children in the course of their lives. In majority of households domestic abuse incidences take place in front or in earshot of children. They are the “silent witnesses”. In this study we try to understanding of the cumulative effects of domestic abuse on children through three transitional stages in the life course.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT2

CHAPTER 15

INTRODUCTION5

Purpose of the Study5

Problem Statement6

Background of the Problem6

Research Question7

Methodology8

Significance of the Study10

Research Outline11

CHAPTER 214

TOXIC CHILDHOODS14

Theory15

Gender18

CHAPTER 325

TOXIC ADOLESCENCE25

CHAPTER 432

LEGACIES32

CHAPTER 537

The Potential of Domestic Abuse37

The Potential of Social Learning40

The Intergenerational Factor42

The Influences of Exposure on the Peer and Intimate Relationship43

Conclusion46

Implications for future research47

Limitations of the Study48

BIBLIOGRAPHY49

Chapter 1

Introduction

Purpose of the Study

It is widely recognized that childhood experience of abuse in the family is all-inclusive Pervasive experience in the field of literature, but, despite numerous studies in mainly casual relationships and its implications for the explanation of the route remains elusive. Even such fundamental questions remain unanswered, the impact on children, why there are differences in the rate of measurable children are suffering, and why this phenomenon is still a huge problem, when should the intervention and prevention campaigns in high public life in order to stop the problem. Children affected by domestic violence in different directions. Domestic violence is often accompanied by other major risk factors for children, such as poverty, female-headed households, as well as the low level of education of primary care giving. Children in violent households may be involved in the violence feeling the need to call for help or being identified as the cause of the dispute, which led to abuses. Children are often victims of random violence between adult family members. The severity of domestic violence appears to predict the severity of child abuse. The abuser is usually violent mother and the mother may also physically abuse children. Risk of child abuse will be particularly severe in families where wife abuse began or increased in severity during pregnancy or when the anger was directed against the unborn child. There is a connection between violence and the constant threat of domestic violence and sexual abuse of children.

Problem Statement

In 90% of domestic abuse family households domestic abuse incidences take place in front or in earshot of children. They are the “silent witnesses”. Impossible to feature all, but here are some of the issues that affect their life: children may inadvertently get caught up in the crossfire and suffer actual bodily injuries. They may be caught up in the sexually, verbally or emotionally abuse of the mother and subsequently suffer the after effects of this (Refuge, 2010, Mullander et al 2002:2).

Background of the Problem

Domestic abuse is defined as a global epidemic, identified as a serious public health problem creating worldwide attention concerning the effect it has women victims and their children in the course of their lives ...