Essay on Abuse in Teen Relationships

IntroductionIn recent history, dating violence has become a paramount issue in American society. With the rates of domestic violence on the rise, much research has been conducted that provides evidence that violence during dating relationships in the teen years is a strong contributing factor to later domestic violence. Current research is revealing that a far larger percentage of teens are suffering from some amount of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in their dating relationships. Studies have shown that both those who engage in the violent behaviors, as well as those who are the victims of these acts are more likely to be involved in violent relationships in the future. The significant number of individuals involved in these

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health problem in youth and young adults. Serious short- and long-term consequences of IPV, coupled with high prevalence, have driven researchers to formulate theoretical frameworks to explain why individuals engage in abusive behaviors toward their partners.

Millions of adults each year in the USA are affected by intimate partner violence (IPV). “The National Violence Against Women (NVAW) survey conducted from November, 1995 to May, 1996 indicates that each year an estimated 8.5 million intimate partner victimizations occur among the US population ages 18 and older” (Fang & Corso, 2008, p. 303). “As recognition of IPV as a serious societal problem increases, more attention has been directed to risk and protective factors for IPV perpetration, especially the link between child maltreatment, victimization and future perpetration of IPV” (Fang & Corso, 2008, p. 303). More than 80 percent of all victims are maltreated by one or both parents. Several studies have found that children who have experienced child maltreatment (neglect, physical abuse, or sexual abuse) are more likely as adults to conduct IPV. Of these children, 54 percent suffered neglect, while almost a quarter, 23 percent, suffered physical abuse and nearly 12 percent of the victims were sexually abused (Fang & Corso, 2008).

They cannot hide” (Domestic Violence). Although counselors are close by, a teen may fear that revealing their abuse will not only slander their abusers reputation, but theirs as well. With nearly 1.5 million high school students experiencing physical abuse yearly from a dating partner (Love is Respect), this problem needs to be addressed in an appropriate classroom setting. Teens need to be taught the warning signs, and also how to handle an abusive situation. “Violent relationships in adolescence can have serious ramifications by putting the victims at higher risk for substance abuse, eating disorders, risky sexual behavior and further domestic violence” (Love is Respect). And with adolescence being an important time for a child to transition into young adulthood, being faced with an abusive relationship may put a chip in their development. As the future of the American nation grows, abuse should not be allowed to grow with them.

Immediately upon hearing about another abusive case in the news, many people’s minds are triggered to automatically associate violence in relationships with adults. In reality, our society is often unaware that 1 in 3 teens experience dating violence on a daily basis. This is a total of 1.5 million students across the country, according to the National Dating Abuse Hotline and awareness group, Break the Cycle. Meaning, in an average American graduating class of three hundred, one hundred of those students will have experienced forms of physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, verbal, financial, technological or spiritual/cultural abuse. “Dating violence is controlling, abusive, and aggressive behavior in

ADV has been associated with mental health concerns (e.g., depression), substance use, and negative views of school. One particular concern is that ongoing dating violence in adolescence is associated with intimate partner violence later in life” (Colbert, Draucker, & Martsolf, 2012, pp. 1-2). Adolescent dating violence is a serious issue that dramatically impacts the teens that are exposed to this trauma. This issue affects teens on a daily basis that causes psychological, physical, and emotional abuse in teens’ lives on a daily basis. For example, some of the teen dating violence include characteristics, such as emotional or psychological abuse, physical violence, and sexual abuse or violence. “Emotional or psychological abuse consist of verbal or nonverbal behaviors, such as name-calling, insults, criticism, stalking, and humiliate. Physical violence consist of hitting, punching, slapping, pushing, and choking. Sexual abuse or violence consist of attempted or forced sexual activity when a partner does not consent or is unable to do so, abusive sexual contact, and verbal sexual harassment” (Miller, Payne , Vasquez, & Ward, 2013). In addition, there are many other consequences and factors that are associate that are categorize as dating violence. Consequently, majority of teens does not consider the following characteristics as being abusive.

Teen dating violence is becoming a huge issue among schools across the nation. In fact most teens don’t even think their relationships are abusive or they know but they are too scared to do anything about it. Teen dating violence is on the rise. This violence spans across all socioeconomic levels and knows no race. Even famous people can be victims of dating violence. Dating violence is a real issue and needs to be addressed in all schools and workplaces across the nation. Teen dating violence is on the rise and is ultimately one of the biggest issues among teens and adolescents today.

I have fallen in love once, but it wasn’t your ideal love story. The guy I was in love with, seemed harmless when I first became involved with him. However, as the relationship grew, he began to abuse me: emotionally and physically. I was terrified, as he began to holler deleterious phrases and names at me, along with leaving bruises on my body. Who could I have turned to? What if he continues to hurt me, or even exceed the damage he’s already done if I were to tell anyone? Dating abuse: one of the many problems in the world that is mildly prominent, but is not being acknowledged to its full potential. Empathy and compassion should be directed towards dating abuse, because this is a continuous event that is still occurring to young adolescents today. Due to the unawareness of dating abuse, students and teachers should put in the effort to inform each other and those around them of dating abuse, as well as how to address it.

The results of this study show those women with a history of childhood physical abuse had experienced dating violence as well. “One hundred thirteen women (36.7%) reported a history of child physical abuse (see Table 1), and 82 (26.6%) women reported a history of moderate to severe dating violence. Of the 113 women with a child abuse history, 39 (34.5%) reported a history of moderate to severe dating violence. Of the 195 who reported minor or no child abuse history, 43 (22.1%) reported being the victims of moderate to severe dating violence” (Fiorillo, Papa & Follette, 2013). Differences in the rate of dating violence among women versus a history of non-child physical abuse were considerable. This shows that child physical abuse has a correlation with re-victimization through dating violence.

A problem that is becoming more and more common is teen dating abuse. The big issue of domestic violence has spilled over onto our kids with more and more girls getting abused by their boyfriends. Is this a problem that people isn't talking about, don't want to talk about, or want to stay blissfully ignorant that this is really going on. The fact is, it is going on and it must be dealt with. Here are some statistics for you based on a study provided by Liz Clairborne Inc; 13% of girls in a relationship reported physical abuse. 1 in 4 teen girls, who has been in a relationship, has been forced to perform sexual acts, and 1 in 5 have been threatened. The hard facts; our girls are getting physically and sexually abused by boys that we probably

Research on adolescent dating violence suggested that females were more likely than males to be victimizes by their dating partners (Roscoe & Kelsey, 1986). However currently some studies have reported similar dating violence rates for men and women (Arriaga & Foshee, 2004). Some studies have reported similar dating violence victimization rates for males and females (Arriaga & Foshee, 2004). According to a recent study of approximately 2,500 students attending two lU.S. universities, 24% of males showed physical violence against a partner, 32% of females showed physical violence against a partner, 57% of females committed psychological abuse against a partner, and 50% of male respondents committed psychological abuse against a partner (Gover,

Teenage dating violence can be physical, sexual and/or physiological abuse. In the article, “There’s a Fine Line… Adolescent Dating Violence and Prevention,” author Judith Herrman explains “dating violence is the occurrence of physically, sexually and/or emotionally violent episodes in an intimate, interpersonal relationship” (Herrman 164). The violent relationship includes a victim along with a perpetrator. Adolescent years are a major stage of development for teenager and the inconsistency of teenage relationships is the reason teenage dating violence is on the rise. Dating violence can occur regardless of religion, ethnicity or socio-economic background. Domestic violence usually first occurs

In regards to Carlson (1991), the degree of age and maturity appears to be more stable and within a comprehensive age span for a determination than it did in Fantuzzo (Edleson, 1999, p.847). The study group consisted of all teenagers. Although the age was appropriate for a comparative study, out of the 50 samples only 12 had witnessed and 25 who had never experienced abuse or domestic violence for this study.

For most teenagers, dating can play an essential role in their social development and psychological advancement. For teens, being able to build loving and healthy relationships with their peers is crucial to forming and maintaining intimate relationships as they approach adulthood, (Grych & Kinsfogel, 2010). Violence in teen dating relationships has become a commonality and can potentially be a very serious public health issue, (Jouriles, Grych, Rosenfield, McDonald, & Dodson, 2013). Previous research has found, an increase of adolescence demonstrating violent behavior and aggression toward their companion during relationships, (Jouriles, Mueller, Rosenfield, McDonald, & Dodson, 2012). In addition, emotional teen dating violence is much more