The Pros And Cons Of Contention Of Parental Rights

A child that is exposed to domestic violence may have long term effects from witnessing the abuse. The effects will start at school when trying to socialize

There are studies showing that 3-4 million children who are between the ages of 3 and 17 are at the risk of domestic violence every year. The children of the women who get abused, usually witness it. (2) This causes the children to have psychological problems, and trust issues. Children that grow up in a violent household, learn very easily that no one can be trusted. It ruins their thought of love and also ruins their courage. (8) No child should have to witness their mother or father get abused. These children show the same behavioral patterns as those who are neglected. They often look for attention, affection, and approval, since they aren't getting much in their home lives. (8) Children deserve to be loved and cared for. They shouldn't have to worry about the things they do, and they shouldn't have to worry about what might happen to them next. There are statistics that show that most of the children who witness domestic violence, will become a victim too. If they do not become a victim, they will have severe psychological trauma. (8) The children are likely to be abused, but they are just as likely to abuse. It's common for children who watch abuse to repeat that abuse to others, such as significant others, and possibly their children.

Domestic violence is defined as violent or aggressive behavior, usually abuse involving a spouse. Domestic violence is a very dangerous act and has been occurring for decades. In most cases the abusers are men and the victims are women, being physically and emotionally abused. Physical abuse is an intentional act of causing injury to one, in other words “putting your hands on someone”. Emotional abuse is the act of verbal assault, humiliating one ,and tearing one’s self-esteem down .Sadly in a lot of cases that I have research a child is involved, or the couple has a child who witnessed the abuse occur. Children who have witnessed abuse or experienced it go through a lot. In all of the cases the child is witnessing a parent usually the victim, being abused by their spouse (boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, etc.), who watched or was once abused as a child so they think it’s normal. The book titled “Damage, children” explains how about 90 percent of the time the abusers are men who” suffer from a drug problem or was once abused as a child”. Continually elaborating into great detail about how” 15.5 million “children witness domestic violence, whether they see it or its being illustrated on them, now I’m not talking about a regular old slap or a pop to the backside but a brutal unnecessary assault. Witnessing domestic violence as a child affects the mind, these children are likely to deal with

In the same case of the Supreme Court, Justice Souter wrote a separate opinion saying that parents have rights, but not fundamental rights. Yet he voted for the parents in this particular case while Justice Scalia did not (Farris, “Deeper”). Many lower courts (which handle everyday cases that affect parents) have used the Supreme Court’s ruling in Troxel v. Granville to undermine parental rights claiming that since the Supreme Court cannot agree, the lower courts are free to decide a case however they wish (parentalrights.org).

Over 5 million children witness domestic violence across the U.S. each year. When a child/children are exposed to domestic violence; it affects their life aspects, such as learning, health, and social ability. Children who witness domestic violence often fault themselves and live in fear. Most children become dysfunctional and victims of child abuse. Domestic violence not only affects the victims of the crime but surrounding victims, also. Any child exposed to domestic violence can potentially commit domestic violence later on in life.

Exposure to trauma is a serious problem here in america. Children who are exposed to domestic violence are more vulnerable to physical, emotional or sexual abuse, which sometimes causes violent behavior. Stressful situations

In this world we get three unique gifts that are impossible to replace, and devastating to lose. The first gift we ever receive is the gift of life itself, the second, a diamond ring forged with a promise, and finally, perhaps our greatest gift, is the life we get to create. For many, a child is the single most precious treasure they can have, and when it comes to fighting for the right to raise a child, it’s easy to get swept up in the emotional turmoil. This is why the decision on child custody in a divorce is a complex one that is more often than not left to the court to decide on. A judge takes several factors into consideration when determining which parent should be allowed to have primary custody of a child.

Children are impacted the most in a household where domestic violence occurs. Fifty-four percent of families reported that domestic violence occurred in the child’s home (Bowen, 2000). That is over half of all children who experience some sort of physical or psychological abuse at some point in their lifetime. Children exposed to violence exhibit many more problems than children who do not witness violence at home, including anxiety; aggression; depression and temperament problems; less empathy and self-esteem; and lower verbal, cognitive, and motor abilities. Furthermore, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports that “children who witness domestic violence are likely to become sufferers of posttraumatic stress disorder” (Lundy, Grossman, 2005). They lack the confidence in themselves, because they are constantly told they are bad. Behavioral problems, particularly externalizing behavior, in children who witness marital violence and who are victims of abuse have been found to be worse than in children who are exposed to just one type of violence (Cox, Kotch, & Everson, 2003). Some children act up just so they can get attention from peers and elders. This is because the child does not receive the appropriate attention at home, possibly from being neglected by their parents.

Children who are exposed to violence/abuse have a higher risk of having emotional and behavioural problems

The phrase “domestic violence” typically refers to violence between adult partners. Sadly, it has been estimated that every year between 3.3 and ten million children are exposed to domestic violence in the confines of their own home (Moylan, Herrenkohl, Sousa et al. 2009). According to research conducted by John W. Fantuzzo and Wanda K. Mohr (1999): “Exposure to domestic violence can include watching or hearing the violent events, direct involvement (for example, trying to intervene or calling the police), or experiencing the aftermath (for example, seeing bruises or observing maternal depression)” (Fantuzzo & Mohr, 22). The effects of exposure can lead to behavioral and developmental issues at a young age or interpersonal relationships

“Exposure to family and community violence is linked with aggressive behavior. One of the theoretical perspectives that explains this link is social learning theory, according to which children learn from the aggressive models in their environments. Additionally, victimization may compromise children's ability to regulate their emotions, and as a result they may act out aggressively” (Margolin & Gordis 2004, 153). “Posttraumatic stress symptoms and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are important consequences of exposure to violence because they can impair social and behavioral functioning” (Margolin & Gordis 2004, 153). Research has shown that children exposed to domestic violence demonstrate impaired ability to concentrate, difficulty with schoolwork, and significantly lower scores when their verbal, motor, and cognitive skills were being tested (Fantuzzo & Mohr). It seems as if the academic and cognitive difficulties from exposure affect the child possibly through its impact on psychological functioning. For example, PTSD and depression may hinder with learning and the ability to perform well in the classroom (Margolin & Gordis 2004).

The issue of custody of children is a significant issue especially with female inmates and the newborn infants (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). While the proposition for women to take care of their infants for the first six months has a moral appeal, I consider it ultimately impossible. This is due to the present economic realities of prisons that have numerous issues such as overcrowding. An infant should not be under such conditions. Furthermore, at the end of those six months, the child will still become either a ward of the state or be taken in by relatives of the prisoners begging the question of the need for a six months bonding that results in the same outcome. Therefore, I would oppose such a measure unless sufficient resources are at

Children’s exposure to domestic violence negatively affects children’s health and development. Millions of children are exposed to domestic violence on a daily. 3.3-10 million children are exposed to domestic violence annually (Wilson Pg.9). Many children’s futures are affected by the things they witness. Majority of what they witness alters they’re outlook on many situations that occur.

Children and young people who live with domestic violence are more likely to display aggressive behaviour, experience anxiety, have reduced social skills, suffer symptoms of depression and show emotional distress.

Physical violence leads the children to a poor mental and emotional health. Poor mental health leads the brain to fail from growing properly. It has a long-term consequence for cognitive, language, and academic abilities.