Chapter 12
Violence in Families
There are many different behaviors
used by one person in a relationship to
control the other. Many of these behaviors
do not result in physical harm, yet they are
abuse. The following are examples of
abuse (Domestic Violence Handbook,
2007):
Violence can be criminal: such as some
type of physical assault, sexual abuse
including any type of forced or unwanted
sexual activity, and stalking. Emotional,
psychological, and financial abuse are not
criminal behaviors, but they are forms of
abuse.
Why does conflict sometimes result in
violence? In a culture which often does
not encourage constructive conflict
resolution, unresolved conflict can erupt
into a dangerous situation. Two cultural
factors seem to contribute to violence in
families:
A Culture of Violence.Our culture often
encourages families to avoid conflict.As a
result,family members are sometimes not
encouraged to share their feelings.At the
same time,the media often presents violence
as an acceptable way to manage differences.
On television shows and in movies,violence
gets attention and gets results.
A victim will learn to do anything to
avoid a violent confrontation. In this way,
one person has successfully controlled
another person. For example, violence
becomes an effective way to control
children—but it does not encourage them to
make their own decisions and to recognize
natural consequences for bad behavior.
When parents discipline their children
physically, they must take care not to allow
their anger to be abusive. Society has aIntimidation even without physical violence is still abuse.© iStockphoto.com / ManoAfrica- name-calling and putdowns
- preventing a partner from
contacting family and friends - withholding money
- preventing a partner from getting or
keeping a job - actual or threatened physical harm
- sexual assault (even by one’s spouse)
- stalking
- intimidation
- The cultural expectation that good
families do not experience conflict; - A culture filled with violence.
- The cultural expectation that good