Domestic Violence among African Americans Essay

Domestic rage is abuse that occurs within a personal relationship. It force out occur betwixt former or current married persons or significant others. Domestic violence doesnt put up a name it affects both men and women of any race, organized religion gay or straight upper class or low class adolescents, adults, or seniors. But most of its victims argon women rather men. While home(prenominal) violence is present in all races, the existence among African Americans is significantly higher in the United States. thither are many elements that have been expressn to look sharp a person to engage in national violence examples are failing relationships, lack of employment, poor school systems, violent communities, drug use and the good deal of nearby accessible liquor stores. Experiencing any these situations can lead to strong emotions that can ultimately result in domestic violence. People who experience domestic violence are deeply affected and a good deal live in fear.This pl ague has broken down and destroyed many African American communities. There are serious physical and mental health risks involved in domestic hysteria. Abortion, stress, unconsented sexual encounters, achievable suicides, complicated pregnancies and murder are few possible physical results from domestic violence. (Bent-Goodley, 2004) Abuse, control and violence are comp onenessnts of domestic violence. Neither the maltreater nor the person being ill-use are winners in these type of situations. The abuser actions shows characteristics of controlling, anger, oppressor, possessiveness, power and liar. The abusers victims are usually multitude that can be manipulated, panic-struck and shielded by the abuser. Although the abuser may be an adult most often their mental capacity displays child like behavior. A child will typically throw fits and become angry when things dont go their flair or they didnt get what they destinyed. This anger that possess is shown through mental and ph ysical abuse.Abuser are usually non very(prenominal) open people and they believe that are right in every situation. However, they never take the blame for their actions and tend to blame others, most often their spouse. The victimsof abuse tend to show characteristics of having low self-esteem, sadness and being unconfident approximately themselves. Often the victim believes that this type of physical and verbal abuse should be inflicted upon them. (Agazie, 2011) Generally, a victim or spouse show signs of previously experiencing an unstable and hostile childhood, and possibly being abused as a child. As a result, they feel like an unwanted and scared child who is weak, instead of like an adult. African Americans who survive domestic violence, child abuse and community violence consistently engage in various types cognitive content abuse at higher rates. (Hill, et al, 2012)African American abusers who has previously used a weapon or threatened their spouse with one during argum ents, will much than likely kill them by lethal violence. It is stated that 80% of African American women who have murdered their partners had a history of abuse. Violence and nonviolence have been proven behaviors that are learned. Social and cultural beliefs, outlooks on life, examples, role models influences on whether a person decides to engage in volatile or nonvolatile behavior. It is very key to know how a person elects to use violence or nonviolence. (Wimberly, 2000)Statistics have shown that African American women are more prone to leave an abusive relationship and then return to it compared to white women. (Agazie, 2011) African American women suffer mistreatment over a long period of time and have a tendencies shin back. Close to 50% of victims that attempt to leave their abusive relationship are killed by their partners. (Williams, et al, 2008) African American women are brought up as younger girls downstairs strong religious belief and family values. They are taught at a young age that once you get married you do what it takes not to become a victim of divorce. They are told that it may not be easy but you are married for life once you have made that commitment. With this type of facts of life African American women tend to procrastinate and often hesitate leaving an unhealthy marriage due to their beliefs. Most people dont not understand the reasoning behind women staying in this form of relationship.While the reasons for their reluctances to leave an abusive relationship are uncertain, some likely justifications would be (1) when searching for a spouse African American women have a smaller amount of pickaxs than albumen women (2) African American womens income is normally lower than of mostWhite women (3) baleful women are reluctant to call the police due to the trust that African American in the justice system. Unfortunately, most battered and abused Black women find no other way out of the relationship and resort to killing their partn ers. Losing financial means may also contribute to the reason wherefore African American women of lower class are reluctant to report abuse. The abusing spouse may take care of the victim financially by providing a place to stay, clothes and food and, in order to keep their current living status so they remain quiet about the abuse. Reputation may play a part in why African American women of higher class hesitate to report abuse because they dont want to put their reputation at risk.Another reason why abused victims remain quiet is because they may not be taken serious by law enforcement. It has been confirmed that domestic violence is treated more like a private family matter rather than serious matter. Typically when law enforcement is called to a domestic violence scene, no arrest is usually made and if they are ever prosecuted the case is usually dismissed. (Hampton, et al, 2008) In many cases I have anchor that the African American community seems to accept, if not encourage, the domestic violence that exists within it. While it is easy to blame education or social rank for a couples behavior or societys reaction to it, these factors are often not as important as one powerfulness expect. A cleaning woman with multiple degrees or at the highest level of social strata is as vulnerable to domestic violence as the woman who did not down form high school. It equally as likely for a man who is born to an upper middle class family and a man born to a family that lives in poverty to participate in an abusive relationship.The Black church has always and continues to be a pillar of strength to Black families and communities. The Black church has been a powerful force in the Black community. Domestic violence is a tough situation to endure, so many African Americans turn to entreaty to cope with the difficulties in their lives. (Watlington & Murphy, 2006) The Black church has been unreliable and, at times, inadequate in reacting to domestic violence situations . (Bent- Goodley, et al, 2012) For instance on August 22, 2007, Bishop Thomas Weeks, minister of religion of an independent ministry that worked out of the Global Destiny Church (Haines, 2007) assaulted his wife, Juanita Bynum. This assault is significant not only for the positions held by the participant, but also for the actions taken by the African Americancommunity itself. According to Haines (2007) the community did not speak out against the pastor after the beating. Rather, some members of the community spoke in support for the pastor.Haines quotes one individual as posting a message to Weeks MySpace page that read, Bishop Weeks, dont be discouraged, but be encouraged. Stand firm and know that the maestro is mighty in battle. Haines reports that another community member asked her own pastor about the Weeks domestic abuse case, only to find that he had no reaction to the abuse and only provided him with scriptures. making her wonder what he could offer her if she were a victi m of domestic abuse (Haines, 2007). While this situation may be distressing, it is not unusual. According to Jordan (2005) When African American men act as bullies toward African American women they tend to engage in active-passive renunciation, which leaves abused women the choice of speaking out or being ostracized. What kind of message does this send? As a young girl I watched my mother be abused countless times by my very own father.She endured this abuse for many years and it appeared as though she would never leave him. It was as if she was accepting of it or had merely gotten used to it. Then one day after 13 years she left and didnt look back. Although she didnt speak out about it, she removed herself from the situation. Most of my family knew about the situation but never brought it up. Years later my father eventually changed for the better. I believe that change has to come from within. You can acquire help and assistance but until you want to change no one can help you. It is difficult to create successful programs and mediation approaches that are geared towards domestic violence without fully understanding how African Americans grasp and distinguish this disease. (Bent-Goodley, 2013)Domestic abuse is not distinctive to the African American community. As it stands, whether an African American woman is rich or poor, educated or not, she is at grave risk of being abused by her partner. As it stands, that woman is also at grave risk of being rejected by her community and even her family, if she speaks up about her abuse. Domestic abuse is not expressage to only woman but the percentages are outstandingly high compared to an abused make victim. This violence must come to an end. Through education from within, it might be possible to initiate change.ReferencesWilliams, Oliver J. Oliver, William Pope, Marcus. (2008). Domestic Violence in the African American Community. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, Vol. 16 return key 3, p229-237. 9p. Ag azie, Maxine. (2011). heathenish Considerations Impacting Domestic Violence Among African American Women Implications for Social Work. Conflict Resolution & Negotiation Journal, Issue 1, p138-141. 4p. Watlington, Christina G. Murphy, Christopher M. (2006). The roles of religion and spirituality among African American survivors of domestic violence. Journal of Clinical Psychology, Vol. 62 Issue 7, p837-857. 21p. Bent-Goodley, TB. (2013). Domestic Violence Fatality Reviews and the African American Community. HOMICIDE STUDIES, Vol. 17, Issue 4 p375-p390. Bent-Goodley, Tricia B. (2004). Perceptions of Domestic Violence Health & Social Work, Vol. 29 Issue 4, p307-316. 10p. 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