The Grand Challenge of Family Violence Essay

THERE have been many concerns about young people and their behavior in today's society. The grand challenge of stopping family violence is at the very core of developmental problems among young people. In the person-in-environment approach, there is a very clear correlation between environmental factors and the stability an individual illuminates (McDonald et al, 2017). Individuals prone to environmental factors that are disruptive because of violence and more likely to showcase problematic signs as they grow older. Young people who live in toxic family environments lack a sense of safety that can influence their growth. For this reason, many young people from such as background engage in juvenile delinquency and may end up becoming hardcore criminals without the appropriate intervention strategies (Tomsich et al, 2017). Some of these young people develop PTSD, HDAD, and exhibit cases of immense emotional instability as they become older. They are unable to relate well with others because of the toxic environment in their formative years that disrupted their developmental process (Will et al, 2016). Family violence is particularly dangerous because of its continuity factor. It firms a cycle of violence that surrounds a child and advances into their adult as they manifest it in their own families. For instance, a child who is mistreated may grow into a delinquent in their adolescent lives and advance to a life of incarceration. They may also showcase instances of violence in their own families. Without adequate interventions, the cycle continues and affects the wellbeing of the society in general.

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According to research by the Child Domestic Violence Association, more than 5 million children in the United States are victims of family violence in one way or another (Childhood Domestic Violence Association, 2014). The children with such backgrounds are thrice as likely to develop serious psychological problems when compared to their counterparts from stable homes. They showcase signs of PTSD, lower academic achievement, ADHD, and problems with anger or irritability. The statistics showcased that 74% of these children are more than likely to commit a crime in the future especially if it is of a violent nature (Childhood Domestic Violence Association, 2014). More than 70% of those children in juvenile detention centers were victims of violence in their families (Childhood Domestic Violence Association, 2014). Children who become exposed to violence are also twice as likely to become abusers because they associate strength with aggression. Psychology experts opine that these children learn to look at violence as a problem-solving strategy because they have not been exposed to any other healthy habits. The National Criminal Justice Reference Center affirmed this by performing a study that revealed a 60% family violence percentage among those convicted of violent offences like aggravated assault and battery, robbery with violence, and homicides (Childhood Domestic Violence Association, 2014). 2 in every 5 children who witness domestic violence are likely to become domestic offenders in the future.

Dargis & Koenigs (2017) performed a study that indicated psychopathic behavior among those people who witnessed domestic violence or were victims of family violence in their formative years. Their study focused on 127 individuals who are currently incarcerated. More than 80% of the male offenders who were victims of maltreatment in their childhood showcased psychopathic tendencies that led to their incarceration. They showcased a lack of empathy, irritability, anger, dissociative disorders, and many other variants that associated them with psychopathic problems. Voith (2016) highlighted a cycle of victimization among those who had been victims of domestic violence by witnessing it taking place in their homes. The researchers conducted a study for 24 years that followed these participations and looked at their life choices. More than 70% continued the pattern of victimization and experienced problems with the law.

Therefore, the situation presents the need for everyone to become a part of the social responsibility to prevent family violence in the community. Everyone in the community should remain aware of the signs that its members are victims of family violence. Family violence is a highly intimate affair that may remain unreported for a long time (Straus, 2017). It can, therefore, persist until it has harmed the young people living in such a toxic environment. Therefore, members of the community ought to become vigilantes who know about family violence, can take note of the signs, and speak out against it. Leaders in the community are particularly important in facilitating this awareness (Straus, 2017). For instance, a pastor who knows about domestic violence should take a stand and facilitate efforts to aid in this situation. A teacher who notices the signs among their students needs to take the necessary steps according to their professional obligations to stop this vice from taking place. A neighbor show suspects the same is taking place should come forward and engage community leaders in intervention strategies. Stopping family violence is a community effort because most victims hardly step forward. While there may be many intervention strategies available, it is imperative for everyone to be involved in this process to stop it before it ruins young people who grow up with this toxic mentality.

Conclusion

Everyone in the community should understand family violence as part of their social responsibility. Leaders should speak about it in churches, local town hall meetings, book club readings, school meetings, parent teacher conferences, and awareness campaigns. They should encourage victims to speak up and teach the community to take note of the signs. Family violence ought to operate under the pretext of "see something, day something," which can only be fostered through social change that everybody understands is their responsibility. Victims may not have the strength to change their situations (Root & Brown, 2014). However, the society has the potential to provide accountability and ensure the safety of one another through close ties and care for the wellbeing of each other. It begins with the leaders who impact awareness and trickles down to those who work directly with children. They have the voice that their victims do not and can facilitate real changes to protect the wellbeing of young people.

References

Childhood Domestic Violence Association. (2014, February 21). 10 Startling Statistics about Children of Domestic Violence. Retrieved from 10 Startling Statistics about Children of Domestic Violence

Dargis, M., & Koenigs, M. (2017). Witnessing domestic violence during childhood is associated with psychopathic traits in adult male criminal offenders. Law and human behavior, 41(2), 173

McDonald, S. E., Collins, E. A., Maternick, A., Nicotera, N., Graham-Bermann, S., Ascione, F. R., & Williams, J. H. (2017). Intimate partner violence survivors' reports of their children's exposure to companion animal maltreatment: a qualitative study. Journal of interpersonal violence, 0886260516689775.

Root, M. P., & Brown, L. (2014). An analysis of domestic violence in Asian American communities: A multicultural approach to counseling. In Diversity and complexity in feminist therapy (pp. 143-164). Routledge.

Straus, M. A., Gelles, R. J., & Steinmetz, S. K. (2017). Behind closed doors: Violence in the American family. Routledge.

Tomsich, E., Jennings, W. G., Richards, T. N., Gover, A. R., & Powers, R. A. (2017). Childhood physical maltreatment and young adult dating violence: A propensity matching approach. Journal of interpersonal violence, 32(22), 3475-3496.

Voith, L. A., Topitzes, J., & Reynolds, A. J. (2016). Violent victimization among disadvantaged young adults exposed to early family conflict and abuse: a 24-year prospective study of the victimization cycle across gender. Violence and victims, 31(4), 767.

Will, J. L., Loper, A. B., & Jackson, S. L. (2016). Second-generation prisoners and the transmission of domestic violence. Journal of interpersonal violence, 31(1), 100-121.