History of Violence in the Family

The Spectrum of Abuse Within Families

There are many different forms of abuse, and it can affect families of different races, ethnicity's and forms.  While domestic violence can be learned through families, there are not specific warning signs.  The spectrum for abuse can include sexual, physical, mental and isolation. Below is an image for manifestations of violence that can stem underlying issues within the family.

In many cultures around the world, and in the past, violence toward the women within a family was deemed "acceptable" because women were not seen as people.  It was not until the first written laws against violence were distinguished in Athens, Greece around 621 B.C.  Draco, a Greek lawgiver made the decision that if laws were disregarded, the penalty would be death. It was not until this time that laws regarding families, and children were created.



FAST FACT- It was not until Draco created the laws that were given with severe penalties, thus created the idea of "Draconian law" which are now considered to be medieval and harsh

The chapter focusing on the history of how violence was created, and how it was regarded within different countries, and their societies shows the spectrum from ancient Greece, to ancient Rome to the introduction of the Christian era and the laws that followed through the years, up until present time.  We have come a long way from the past views of our egotistical law makers of the past.



We are all given our rights, within our Constitution that protect us from harm and unlawful judgement.  Even though we have made justified changes to our laws, we must realize that violence still occurs and more often it goes unnoticed. Even though it seems as though we are on top of things in our present day and age, it has not always been that way.

Venturing back to the idea that domestic violence and child abuse were considered "private affairs" that should not be discussed outside the home, is literally shocking.  It was not until a family member was killed or seriously maimed that intervention would occur. It was not until the 1970's that individuals attempted to make reformations in order to end domestic violence. Violence of any kind should not be accepted, and ignoring, or not stepping in to the situation can cause the violence to escalate and get worse.

"Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because, as has been said, it is the quality which guarantees all others." Winston Churchill

 

FAST FACT: The Minneapolis Experiment of 1980 was the first controlled experiment to confirm that arrests in domestic violence cases was the only way to protect the victims of crime. If police step in to the situation, it is found that it is the most effective form of ceasing the violence between families.

Violence tends to be everywhere around us. How can we adequately preach that violence is wrong, if it is on daily lives. Violence is displayed in video games, movies and games in today's modern society.  We stand and state that we believe violence is morally corrupt, but we seem to demand it in other forms. How does that shape our society?

Family violence tends to span within today's society in the forms of child abuse, intimate partner violence, and abuse of older adults.  Abuse, in any form is wrong.

IPA, Child Abuse & Elder Abuse

 

Intimate Partner Abuse is in reference to an adult relationship that is consumed by violence, regardless of gender involved. The abuse can include sexual abuse, physical abuse or emotional abuse, or a combination of all. Within intimate partner relationships, battering is one of the most common form of abuse within intimate relationships. Battering includes hitting and causing harm. Social isolation is a major issue within partner abuse, cutting of relations with family and friends and making the individual feel alone. Threats, hitting, coercion, intimidation or degradation can accompany many of the issues within intimate partner abuse.

Child Abuse, another form of family violence is the harm to a child by a family member. Children depend on family members for basic needs and if those needs are not met, it is a form of neglect. Often if there is a sign of abuse or neglect, it is, or will not be the only sign or occurrence. When children are not shown love or support, they will carry those problems to adulthood, and might convey them to their own children. Abuse is often learned, if one individuals was treated a certain way, it is possible that they believe it is acceptable behavior. Child abuse can include the span of emotional, physical and sexual abuse as well.

Elder abuse is often a combination of neglect, abandonment, physical, sexual and mental abuse. If anyone, whether a child or an elder individual are not aided in meeting their basic needs, it can be considered abuse. Often, neglectful actions are the most common form of elder abuse. When individuals are unable to provide basic needs for themselves, they often rely on others. Physical, emotional and sexual abuse are common as well.

Forms of Violence

Any form of unwanted touching, or hurting another individual can be classified as abuse.

Forms of abuse can include beating, pulling, shoving, hitting, kicking, biting, threatening, sexual abuse, stalking, and the list continues. Anything that is unwanted by one individual is abusing, whether admitted or not.

Abuse, if leave untreated, ignored or not admitted, can lead to life changing instances or even death.

Past to Present...

For centuries, violence has been a part of our lives for many different reasons. Often, we feel that to solve conflicts, we must use violence because we were either taught, or we feel it is easier. The realization that violence makes a situation worse is the largest hurdle that we should convey more openly. When our family is considered, and when we are parents we are to take care of our children and make sure they are safe. Violating that is not only morally wrong, it is illegal.


Our society is still continuing to make advancements in order to teach our future generations that violence is wrong and will not be accepted.