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Impacts of Domestic Violence on Children’s Social Development

Domestic violence and its impacts on children have raised concerns among different groups of people for a long time. Nearly all people stand against domestic violence because it has adverse impacts on children and intimate partners. Domestic violence threatens the mental and physical wellbeing of children who are victims or have witnessed domestic violence firsthand (Moylan et al., 60). It is an ongoing and forced experience that manifests in psychological, sexual, and physical torture in houses where a partner uses aggressive strategies to establish dominance in the household. The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic increased cases of children’s mental and physical harm linked to domestic violence (Noble‐Carr et al., 185). Despite the increase in awareness of the issue in society, many children still fall victim to domestic violence. Research shows approximately 3.2 American children fall victim to domestic violence annually. This paper aims to explain the impacts of domestic violence on Children’s social development.

Research Question; How does domestic violence affect children’s social development?

Hypothesis; Subjecting children to domestic violence affects their social development

Literature Review

Research has determined a positive correlation between domestic violence and child neglect or abuse. Potential impacts of domestic violence on children vary depending on their age. Studies suggest that children who witness domestic violence and those who have fallen victims have similarities in their behaviors and perceptions of their surroundings (McCarry et al., 120). According to McCarry and colleagues, such children are at greater risk for external behaviors such as lying, cheating, and bullying. Moreover, they are likely to develop internal behaviors such as depression and anxiety. It affects infants’ attachment needs, hence disrupting their routines and overall wellbeing. Studies have determined that 50% of infants from households where domestic violence is prone tend to cry excessively, lack sleep, and experience eating disorders.

On the other hand, school-aged children struggle with competence issues in school and at home. This aspect implies that they are likely to record poor grades and overall academic performance. Additionally, school-aged children have difficulty interacting and making meaningful connections with their peers (Callaghan et al., 60). Research shows they are unable to express themselves freely for fear of judgment. According to the Child protective services of America, children subjected to domestic violence at a young age struggle with identity issues as they grow up because of the coping mechanisms adopted to counter domestic violence in their households. Most children from harsh and unhealthy backgrounds display respect in their homes but act unruly and chaotic at school and other social settings.

The impacts of domestic violence are influential to children because it generates emotional disorders, including adaptation problems, emotional confusion, depression, anxiety, and depression. Children are vulnerable community members and require security, especially from their parents. When children grow up in violent environments, they lack a sense of security and tend to isolate themselves (Gottzén et al., 25). Usually, homes are meant to create a safe space for a child to express themselves and be comfortable. Domestic violence deprives children of this luxury, leaving them helpless in a dangerous world. Exposing children to violence is unfair and uncalled for because it leaves them defenseless in their homes and the outside world.

According to the article Children’s experiences and needs in relation to domestic and family violence, children growing up in households that entertain domestic violence are stigmatized because of society’s perception of them and their character (Noble‐Carr et al., 200). In a society where domestic violence has been normalized, children with harsh backgrounds are made to feel ashamed of aspects in their lives they have no control over (Wathen et al., 19). For this reason, such children develop aggressive behaviors or behaviors considered problematic or socially unacceptable. Research shows they struggle to connect with friends or strengthen bonds with them, thus living a lonely and unhealthy life.

Domestic violence instills self-blame in children born from such backgrounds. Since children are too young to comprehend the origin of fights between their parents or guardians, they blame themselves for the fights they witness at home (Almış et al., 200). Consequently, these children resort to drastic decisions that could potentially interfere with their wellbeing. Research shows that older children from abusive households resort to risk-taking behaviors, drug abuse, and criminal activities to find comfort and a sense of purpose. These activities are dangerous because they can drive them to depression, suicidal thoughts, or jail terms.

Conclusion

Domestic violence is a crucial social issue that requires attention from all the relevant parties involved because it affects human beings’ most delicate stage of growth. The environment in which children grow up affects their mental health, interactions, perceptions, and who they become when they mature as adults. Guilt, shame, and inadequacy brought about by domestic violence shadows an individual’s life and makes them feel unworthy. Through the Child Protection Services, the government should work hand in hand with programs established to protect children from violence and devise techniques to reduce domestic violence in society. Additionally, more research regarding the causes of domestic violence and ways to combat them need to be done to identify the root cause, eliminate the issue and save children from traumatic experiences.

References

Almış, Behice Han, Funda Gümüştaş, and Emel Koyuncu Kütük. “Effects of Domestic Violence Against Women on Mental Health of Women and Children.” Psikiyatride Guncel Yaklasimlar 12.2 (2020): 232-242.

Callaghan, Jane EM, et al. “Beyond “witnessing”: Children’s experiences of coercive control in domestic violence and abuse.” Journal of interpersonal violence 33.10 (2018): 51-81.

Gottzén, Lucas, and Linn Sandberg. “Creating safe atmospheres? Children’s experiences of grandparents’ affective and spatial responses to domestic violence.” Children’s geographies 17.5 (2019): 14-26.

McCarry, Melanie, Lorraine Radford, and Victoria Baker. “What helps? Mothers’ and children’s experiences of community-based domestic violence early intervention services.” Child Abuse Review 30.2 (2021): 114-129.

Moylan, Carrie A et al. “The Effects of Child Abuse and Exposure to Domestic Violence on Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Problems.” Journal of family violence vol. 25,1 (2010): 53-63. doi:10.1007/s10896-009-9269-9

Noble‐Carr, Debbie, Tim Moore, and Morag McArthur. “Children’s experiences and needs in relation to domestic and family violence: Findings from a meta‐synthesis.” Child & Family Social Work 25.1 (2020): 182-191.

Wathen, C Nadine, and Harriet L Macmillan. “Children’s exposure to intimate partner violence: Impacts and interventions.” Paediatrics & child health vol. 18,8 (2013): 19-22.