Families definitely play a role in the
development of an intimate partner violence (IPV) victims or perpetrators. Interviews with troubled teenagers
consistently demonstrated a lack of family structure or a lack of balance in
discipline as predictors of low self-esteem and sexual promiscuity which are risk factors for IPV (Pipher, 2005). Women with
low self-esteem desire to achieve others acceptance and frequently fall victim
to IPV. The CDC (2010) described emotional dependence and insecurity, being a victim of physical or
psychosocial abuse, and history of experiencing poor parenting as a child as
increasing someone’s risk of IPV. These factors can contribute to becoming a
victim or a perpetrator. Pipher (2005)
described several interviews with teens that came from unstable families and
had increased stress due to family relationships. The stressors caused the teens
to have increased alcohol and drug abuse, promiscuity and depression which
increased their risk of being a victim of IPV. In addition, Kimmel (2008)
describes men whom believe they are entitled to sex and that women exist to
please men. These are learned behaviors
through family relationships, media and the current culture. Unfortunately IPV seems to be a vicious cycle
that is difficult to break due to early family experiences and modeling of
behaviors.
References
Kimmel, M.
(2008). Guyland. New York, New York:
HarperCollins.
Pipher, M.
(2005). Reviving Ophelia: saving the
selves of adolescent girls. New York, New York. Penguin Group (USA), Inc.
Hi Christine. Looking at this information and knowing additional information on how important healthy parenting is on the child almost makes me wish there was some sort of a screening process to become a parent. This is definitely one of the many areas where education and counseling is needed in order to decrease the chances of children being raised this way. Hopefully one day we can end this viscous cycle.
ReplyDelete-Mimi