The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
''The cycle of violence must be broken before today's abused child becomes tomorrow's abuser.''
(The Attorney General's Task Force on Family Violence
(1984)
Abusive or Aggressive Behavior: Research has indicated that violent behavior is learned. The child tends to model the behavior of and/or identify with the parent's methods for resolving conflict. After observing abusive behavior, the child learns that hitting, slapping, etc. are effective and acceptable ways to resolve problems. As a result, the child may grow up and adopt the learned behavior by abusing a spouse.
Passive, Withdrawn Behavior: The child witnessing violence in the home and identifying with the victim displays passive, withdrawn behavior. Home is not a place of healthy relationships,and security, but a place of unpredictable danger. The passive child has extreme difficulty asserting his/her needs and copes with the violence by withdrawal and isolation. Girls tend to use indirect and passive forms of aggression to meet their goals and to emotionally hurt others (Feshbach and Feshbach, 1976) or they tend to turn the aggression inward toward themselves (Ross, 1980.) The danger in this behavior is that the child, upon reaching adulthood still assumes a victim role in interpersonal relationships; thus, the cycle continues.
Emotional Difficulties: A low or weakened self-esteem is often an effect experienced by the child who witnesses domestic abuse. A parent or teacher may observe the child as an underachiever academically and/or socially. Weakened feelings about the self may often create apathy, refusal to participate in social activities and a feeling of helplessness or hopelessness which may ultimately
translate into suicidal tendencies.
Role Reversal: Frequently in a violent family environment, the child will assume the responsibility of trying to stop or prevent the violence from occurring between the parents. To accomplish this task, the child attempts to ''take care of'' his/her parents by assuming a caretaker role with siblings and by assuming all of a major portion of household tasks. The major damage in the role reversal is that the child usually feels guilty and inadequate; thus, the self-concept remains in its weakened state.
Chemical Dependency: The misuse of alcohol and/or drugs may be
a vehicle of escape from the violence and instability in the family. This possibility increases if there is dependency on drugs and/or alcohol on the part of one or both parents.
Effects of Domestic Abuse on Children
http://www.actabuse.com/effectschildren.html
Child Abuse Resources
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/ca.htm
Kids as Victims
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/kav.htm
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TDD)
RAINN
Unlock the Silence
1-800-656-HOPE (4613)
24 Hr Confidential Rape Hotline
By Glen Canyon Vista N'hood Assoc.
''The cycle of violence must be broken before today's abused child becomes tomorrow's abuser.''
(The Attorney General's Task Force on Family Violence
(1984)
Abusive or Aggressive Behavior: Research has indicated that violent behavior is learned. The child tends to model the behavior of and/or identify with the parent's methods for resolving conflict. After observing abusive behavior, the child learns that hitting, slapping, etc. are effective and acceptable ways to resolve problems. As a result, the child may grow up and adopt the learned behavior by abusing a spouse.
Passive, Withdrawn Behavior: The child witnessing violence in the home and identifying with the victim displays passive, withdrawn behavior. Home is not a place of healthy relationships,and security, but a place of unpredictable danger. The passive child has extreme difficulty asserting his/her needs and copes with the violence by withdrawal and isolation. Girls tend to use indirect and passive forms of aggression to meet their goals and to emotionally hurt others (Feshbach and Feshbach, 1976) or they tend to turn the aggression inward toward themselves (Ross, 1980.) The danger in this behavior is that the child, upon reaching adulthood still assumes a victim role in interpersonal relationships; thus, the cycle continues.
Emotional Difficulties: A low or weakened self-esteem is often an effect experienced by the child who witnesses domestic abuse. A parent or teacher may observe the child as an underachiever academically and/or socially. Weakened feelings about the self may often create apathy, refusal to participate in social activities and a feeling of helplessness or hopelessness which may ultimately
translate into suicidal tendencies.
Role Reversal: Frequently in a violent family environment, the child will assume the responsibility of trying to stop or prevent the violence from occurring between the parents. To accomplish this task, the child attempts to ''take care of'' his/her parents by assuming a caretaker role with siblings and by assuming all of a major portion of household tasks. The major damage in the role reversal is that the child usually feels guilty and inadequate; thus, the self-concept remains in its weakened state.
Chemical Dependency: The misuse of alcohol and/or drugs may be
a vehicle of escape from the violence and instability in the family. This possibility increases if there is dependency on drugs and/or alcohol on the part of one or both parents.
Effects of Domestic Abuse on Children
http://www.actabuse.com/effectschildren.html
Child Abuse Resources
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/ca.htm
Kids as Victims
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/help/kav.htm
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TDD)
RAINN
Unlock the Silence
1-800-656-HOPE (4613)
24 Hr Confidential Rape Hotline
By Glen Canyon Vista N'hood Assoc.
