Domestic Abuse
It is estimated that domestic abuse affects at least 2 million marriedAmericans every year. The number rises further when adding in non-marriedand gay couples (Hamberger and Renzetti, 1996, pg. xi). Clearly, theproblem of domestic abuse is widespread, even out of control in Americatoday. While domestic abuse happens in both sexes, it seems to affectwomen more than it does men. Women are often dominated so effectively bytheir partners that they will not speak out about the abuse because theyare fearful of more violence. Some men even threaten their partners withdeath if they discuss the violence at home. Some women are held virtualprisoners in their own homes by their abusive mates. What causes domesticabuse, and how can it be controlled in our country' Just like most violent criminals, domestic abusers have some patternsof behavior in common. Many researchers have found that majorities ofabusers have psychological disorders. They write, "The most frequentlyreported are the borderline, antisocial, and compulsive personalitydisorders and [...] the violence-prone personality" (Hamberger & Renzetti,1996, pg. xii-xiii). In addition, it is common for abusers to come from
She subtly convinced herself that if she could be 'good enough' and not make Ray angry, she would reap the benefits that her handsome, wealthy husband could give her. Men dominate their partners, andcontinue patterns of abuse they learned in childhood. However, many different forms of abuseexist, and many abuses utilize intricate forms of mental abuse, sometimescombined with physical abuse, and sometimes by itself. Menthreaten to kill them, or worse, kill their children. 'Whathappened to me, it doesn't have a name'" (Weitzman, 2000, pg. 6 percent of wives who wereseriously assaulted actually called the police (Buzawa 113). Women are often tooafraid to contact authorities because of threats from their partners. There are numerous ways to pick out domestic abusers. Many moresimply lack the self-esteem to believe they can survive without theirhusband, no matter how violent and abusive he is. (40 year old teacher)"(Chang, 1996, pg. In conclusion, it is clear domestic abuse is one of the biggestproblems facing our society today. It doesn't matter what I do, I end up depressed. Psychological abuseis even more difficult to discover than physical abuse, because there areno wounds on the outside to show, only wounds on the inside.
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