Domestic Violence in the United States

Introduction
Domestic violence can simply be described as a behavioral pattern established
specifically to effect control and authority over another person by means of coercion, fear and
constantly through use of violence. It is a deep-rooted societal problem and it can befall anyone
irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, race or even ethnicity. Despite being an established
state in terms incorporating its social and economic issues, Domestic Violence is still
predominant in the U.S.
Analysis
Regardless of the fact that women are more likely to be the victims of intimate partner
violence, Domestic Violence surpasses the gender boundary. Countless individuals have fallen
victim of domestic violence either through physical abuse, emotional abuse or financial abuse.
Approximately 3 million men and 4 million women are victims of physical violence in the U.S
every year and approximately a quarter of the women population and a seventh of the men
population will experience severe domestic violence during their lifetime. (U.S. Department of
justice report, 2000). With each awakening day, three women are killed by their former or current
spouses. Every minute roughly 24 people will fall victim of physical violence, stalking and even
rape by their intimate partners; over 10 million men and women within the course of every year.
On average, health centers receive over 18 million mental health victims from abusive
relationships every year.
According to the U.S department of Housing and Urban development, Domestic violence
has emerged as one of the leading causes of families homelessness; a third of the families in the

New York family Shelter system remain adrift owing to domestic violence. Not surprisingly,
children suffer the blow in equal measures. Annually, over 3 million children suffer the pain of
witnessing domestic violence in their homes. This exposure more often than not puts them at
risks of harm and even death. Mentally and health wise, victims of domestic violence suffer
extreme levels of anxiety, emotional distress, lack of sleep and depression. Most survivors end
up experiencing chronic conditions and gastrointestinal disorders. Consequently, Domestic
violence has emerged as a costly necessity and the U.S government is paying a bitter price for
this. Annually, domestic violence costs the country over 37 billion dollars in mental and health
treatment, legal work and law enforcements. Many companies have fall victim of lost
productivity attributable to the high levels of absenteeism.
Social Learning Theory and Domestic Violence
Social learning theory suggests that domestic violence is an acquired behavior modelled
and stimulated by situational and contextual factors such as money, stress, alcohol abuse and
above all broken family relationships. This theory primarily focuses on how children develop a
sense of rightward approach towards aggression. They grow up believing that aggression is right
and acceptable when resolving conflicts particularly during an intimate relationship context.
Domestic violence researchers have discovered that children exposed to family aggression are
more likely to later on portray similar characteristics towards their own family members;
assaulters are more likely to have been brought up by violent fathers (McEwen, 1994).
The intergenerational origin and transmission of aggressive behavior is directly linked to
the principles of modeling; depiction of physical violence between family members provides a
direct platform from which children obtain violent behavior (Doumas, 1994). Additionally, the
line of reasoning implies that many violent fathers not only designate preliminary signs of

aggressive behaviors by exposing their children to violent behaviors but also through implanting
a consent for the use of violence (Gelles, 1977). Consequently, children grow up knowing that
violence is sometimes a necessary evil and an effective mechanism with regard to achieving
behavioral modifications in both family and intimate relationships. In order to conquer these
impacts, development researchers recommend early intervention. For children raised in violent
households, early intervention restores their normal development processes such as compassion,
care and self-control. In addition, it minimizes the risks of long-terms exposure to abusive family
aggressions. Without intervention, male victims will almost certainly become abusers as adults
and female victims will become more vulnerable to abuse when they get older hence a
continuous generation cycle.
Conclusion
Generally, the statistics are profoundly alarming. It is a reminder of the real silent
epidemic the U.S is facing; a reminder that domestic violence is not just a peculiar one time
incident but a frightening predicament deeply rooted within the America culture. With each
ticking second, domestic violence transpires and anyone can fall victim. Nonetheless, the
problem is frequently overlooked and even denied by majority of the victims precisely when the
abuse is psychological. And while there is no direct basis and validation as to why domestic
violence transpires, it is important to realize that the problem often arises from a perpetrator and
no victim should ever be blamed. Even so, the fact remains that most domestic violence incidents
are never reported. In order to counter this menace and make a real difference, victims should
come out and speak out; help is available.

References
Americanbar.org, (2015). Domestic Violence Statistics| Commission on Domestic Violence.
Retrieved 28 April 2015, from
http://www.americanbar.org/groups/domestic_violence/resources/statistics.html
Doumas, D., Margolin, G., & John, R. (1994). The intergenerational transmission of aggression
across three generations. J Fam Viol, 9(2), 157-175.
McEwen, K. (1994). Refining the Intergenerational Transmission Hypothesis. Journal of
Interpersonal Violence, 9(3), 350-365.
Portal.hud.gov, (2015). HUDNo.10-248/U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD). Retrieved 28 April 2015, from http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?
src=/press/press_releases_media_advisories/2010/HUDNo.10-248
Russell, D., & Gelles, R. (1977). The Violent Home: A Study of Physical Aggression between
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