Domestic and intimate violence is a subject with deep historical roots. It is only recently, however, that an understanding of how much abuse actually takes place has been uncovered. According a report by Huang and Gunn, "The National Violence against Women Prevention Center (NVAA) has reported that about 1.8 million to 4 million women in the United States are physically abused by their partners annually" (Huang and Gunn 790). This is obviously an enormous number, and the problem of domestic abuse, especially between spouses, must be addressed. In an attempt to find the cause of domestic and intimate violence, various explanations can be cited such as alcohol consumption, poverty, personal frustration, personality complexes, and even cultural values. Each instance of abuse, however, must be analyzed on a case by case basis in order to determine the cause and effect of abuse in an intimate relationship. It is important to understand why many people, mostly women, get abused, and why it is so difficult to escape such a relationship.
[...] Domestic Violence Domestic and intimate violence is a subject with deep historical roots. It is only recently, however, that an understanding of how much abuse actually takes place has been uncovered. According a report by Huang and Gunn, National Violence against Women Prevention Center (NVAA) has reported that about 1.8 million to 4 million women in the United States are physically abused by their partners annually” (Huang and Gunn 790). This is obviously an enormous number, and the problem of domestic abuse, especially between spouses, must be addressed. [...]
[...] An interesting study of domestic violence in immigrant families sheds light on abuse in different ethnic groups. There is a common stereotype in America that perpetuates the belief that abuse is a way of life for many immigrants, and that the women are simply use to living this way. This attitude, however, is very dangerous to immigrant women because it limits their options to seek help. For example, many police officers do not take the issue of domestic violence seriously and develop a very careless attitude when they encounter such things: “This information reinforces the notion that gender-based abuse does not need the state's intervention because it is part of a group's culture and it takes place in the private realm Ferraro found that police officers viewed arrests in domestic violence among immigrants as a waste of time because violence was suppose to be way of life for these people” (Menjivar & Salcido 901). [...]
[...] Some women believe that if they are unsuccessful in leaving the relationship, they may be killed or the violence may get worse. According to the textbook, “Many battered women end up staying in abusive relationships not because there are masochistic or weak willed but because they come to believe that there are worse things than being beaten” (Textbook 417). Abusive relationships are common in America, and many studies and groups have done an excellent job explaining its causes and effects. [...]
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