Domestic Violence Essay
While unemployment rates are increasing, the rise of domestic violence and stress continue to emerge. Due to the economic downturn, domestic violence precedes increasing crime rates. So far evidence and scientific research concludes economic problems manifest domestic violence. Apparently despair and desperation coincides with the ailing economy, and the recession is partially to blame. The correlation between domestic violence and economic stress results in unhealthy relationships.
If you are inclined to be an abuser and face financial crisis you are at a higher risk to indulge in domestic violence, if given the opportunity.Domestic Violence is now so pervasive because of the economic struggle, authorize figures are appalled by the significant increase in domestic violence rates. The recession has deepened and the domestic violence rates continue to rise nationwide.
There are no facts to support that the failed economy is making more people violent, however what it has proven is financial strain increases the problem. During a recession especially when people have less money, the disruption to your life can be almost paralyzing.As a result the anger and rage dominates the financial strain and leads to domestic violence. Domestic Violence is more than three times as likely to occur when couples are experiencing high levels of financial strain opposed to when they are encountering low levels of financial strain. Everyone encounters problems in relationships but financial problems can contribute the worst impact even to the most stable relationships.
Financial problems can exacerbate the emotional and physical abuse and essentially will contribute to an increase in the frequency and severity of the abuse.Financial problems are always risk factors in relationships. With the declining job market, collapse of the financial markets and home foreclosures, more people are looking at unemployment and insecurity than at any time in recent history. If there is already a troubling situation, the financial strain escalates it. Even though the economy continues to falter it is important to recognize that economic stress is not the cause for domestic violence. One may ask, why does the victim continue to stay with the abuser?According to studies supported by the National Institute of Mental Health, many relationships faced massive debts, they have children, they shared the same transportation, and they feared the underlying cause of this unforgiving economy.
Money is the primary source of power. People who are overly abusive normally hide income, refuse to pay child support, or maintenance and run up large debts before or during separation as acts of malicious behavior to hinder you from leaving. Studies have proven many domestic violence incidents are not reported and if they or they are classified as homicides and suicides.The most widely reported figures are based on social studies by Straus. His research conducted that roughly 6 million women a year are victims of some level of domestic violence in the US. In addition to the research; an estimated 35 million domestic violence victims that suffer the abuse in the US, the abuse has not only happened more often since the economy became depressed, but the violence has intensified.
Domestic violence providers across the nation report that calls to the domestic hotlines have increased dramatically.The demand for emergency shelters has risen exponentially and the distress calls to 911 with reports of domestic violence have increased significantly. A survey was conducted with the victims of the domestic abuse and research proved that the financial issues, job loss, stress and substance abuse were the top four reasons why the domestic violence has increased.
The domestic violence rates have alarmed advocates for women and the authorities. This level of violence is beyond comprehension. It’s not just the domestic homicides; it’s the suicides, assaults and attempted murders.Due to these scientific research and surveys, it is safe to say that the recession has inflamed some abusive abusive tendencies, and left more people reluctant to leave dismantle relationships. In many cases people reported that a host of financial pressures made reported that a host of financial pressures made their partner more prone to violence and anger. Throughout history, two persistent assumptions have contributed to society’s turning away from the economic stress that impacts domestic violence: first, it was a minor, private and /or family matter. Second those others were helpless to do anything to solve the problem.Only recently has society begun to prevail the unspeakable horror of financial strain in relationships.
The devastating effect of our economy and tragic consequences are people killing their children, spouse, family members and even themselves. Domestic violence is bigger than a crisis it has become an epidemic in our nation. This problem is so complex and so pervasive that no one wants to tackle the issue. There was an incident that occurred two years ago when a family of four was experiencing financial problems. The husband was fired from his job, mother had been laid off and they had two children.The family faced foreclosure and reposing of one of the vehicles. The father shot and killed his wife, children and eventually himself because he couldn’t handle the financial disposition. As alarming as that sounds, there are several other victims who have the same story to tell.
These problems are widespread and though society promotes optimism and progress the need for intervention and reform is needed immediately. Despite the varying circumstances people tend to resort to drugs and alcohol for escape of their financial problems. Consequently they become frequent users and they tend to inflict the most severe domestic abuse.The substance abuse impairs their conscious ability and they use tactics of violence redundantly to gain power and control people. Typically they don’t accept responsibility for their actions. Instead they develop a number of defense mechanisms to justify their actions.
Often people focus on the physical abuse in the domestic violence cases, but as the economy worsens there is also an economic abuse. During financial hardships often the abuser use someone’s lack of financial independence to keep them trapped in an abusive relationship. Because of the declining economy it is harder to combat economic abuse.
Securing the financial independence is necessary for surviving the abuser. During financial crisis people are frustrated and unhappy. In many cases in a relationship no one wants to admit fault in lack of finances so they normally blame their partners. Eventually the family tensions escalate into violence amongst family members as often their selves.
The extensive unemployment rate amongst families can also manifest itself into violence against loved ones. The stress of the economy contributes negative anxiety to relationships. People are more vulnerable and demonstrate a lack of impulse control.If the unemployment rates don’t increase experts speculate the potential effects that today’s recessed economy will have on the crime rate for the foreseeable future will continue to increase.
A strong economy encourages a lower domestic abuse crime rate for many reasons. If a person is unemployed they often tend to feel more positive about themselves. If they have the resources to provide financially for their families they are less likely to commit domestic crimes at home.
Indeed if a person is working they have less time to commit the crime. The implication is financial contribute in a relationship enhances feelings of love and prosperity.It is important to emphasize the economic fallout does not cause domestic violence; however it does intensify the situation. Each year, domestic violence costs our nation’s economy millions of dollars in lost productivity as well as mental and health visits. These circumstances create an increase in demand for services, but due to the lack of financial government support the service providers are struggling with fewer resources. The advocate providers cited there is not enough funding and they are unable to provide adequate service for their needs.Unfortunately African Americans, especially African American women suffer deadly domestic violence from family members significantly more than white women.
It has been observed that domestic violence among African Americans stimulate more from the poverty level. The rate of intimate partner violence with white women has increased in the recession, and studies conclude more white women are taking out bigger insurance policies on their spouses which ultimately resulted in fatal deaths. More women are becoming the sole providers of the household, so in return they are picking up the slack and taking control over the family.The under taken research has determined that the economic impact of domestic violence. Attacking the problem and dealing with domestic violence has become a multi-million dollar business. The money expended to imprison the offenders, paying litigation expenses, and increasing costs of maintaining a safe work environment is creating a significant negative economic impact.
This area of violence has generated considerable concern. Some common conclusions have been derived concerning the problem of the high domestic violence rate.Education inequalities existing in the household and employment gaps between spouses are linked to the recession which stimulates the domestic violence. Rectifying the problem needs to focus on increasing economic resources, addressing the impact of violence and human needs, and planning strategies for life changes like separation, moving or divorce. As time passes the ripple effect of the economic crisis has multiplied in ways that the world could never imagine.Works CitedFeighan, Maureen. “Domestic Violence Up As Economy Wobbles.
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