Introduction
Domestic violence is an underestimated problem that negatively affects modern American society. Domestic violence is any action that harms a person’s physical and mental health. It creates conditions that interfere with the optimal life of all family members and create a risk for the normal development of the child, violating the rights of any of the family members. First, domestic violence causes irreparable psychological and physical harm to adults and children exposed to it in the family. Insufficient attention to this problem leads to ignoring and accepting the possibility of violence in society, which creates the wrong course of development. Minimizing and condemning domestic violence should be the goal of the state and modern society.
Domestic Violence in Artistic Perception: Their Eyes Were Watching God
The theme of domestic violence, discrimination, and abuse of women is raised throughout the novel. The heroine Janie faces constant obstacles throughout her life but learns to cope with them. Domestic violence in the 1920s was not recognized as a problem; women were treated with disrespect; the society did not want to hear their voices and did not consider abuse a problem. The story’s author conveys an essential point that violence can manifest itself in many forms. It may not be directly physical; it may display in emotional pressure, financial and social restrictions. Janie’s three relationships with men tell of these different forms, none of which are acceptable. In the first marriage, the husband used the woman for his purposes as a free worker; in the second, Janie faced objectification and ignoring her needs. Finally, when the woman meets a third partner, he uses direct physical violence against her.
The history is Janie’s voice, the opinion she can finally express. The main reason for the emergence of the problem of domestic violence is also manifested: the victim’s silence and lack of support from society. “Sin and shame… it was worse than murder,” says the heroine (Hurston 170). As in the novel, modern women are also afraid to stand up for themselves and talk about their problems for fear of condemnation.
Statistics
Domestic violence statistics cannot be completely accurate, as many victims do not talk about their problem and do not go to the police or rehabilitation centers. However, the existing data is sufficient to conclude that domestic violence is a severe and common problem. More than 12 million people yearly suffer from partner violence (National Domestic Violence Hotline 1). Most often, women from 18 to 35 years old become victims of domestic violence and are abused by a husband or a partner (National Domestic Violence Hotline 1). Children also often become witnesses and victims of domestic violence. Indicative is the statistics showing the further negative impact of domestic violence experienced in childhood. Children who experienced domestic violence are 15 times more likely to face physical or sexual abuse later than the national average (National Domestic Violence Hotline 1). Statistics show that the problem of domestic violence is widespread and negatively affects the psychological state of a person in the future.
Impact on the Psychological State of Adults
People who have experienced domestic violence have a higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Direct physical consequences of domestic violence include murder and incitement to suicide. In addition, physical abuse often leads to irreparable injuries. Sexual domestic violence can result in unwanted pregnancies and STDs. It can lead to deaths in the form of murders and suicides. Other health effects may also include frequent headaches, chronic fatigue, and a general decline in health (Rivara et al.1624). Violence can increase the likelihood of risky sexual behaviors.
Abused people feel they have lost control over their own lives, which provokes the development of anxiety. The chances of experiencing PTSD are several times higher for women who were victims of domestic violence (Rivara et al.1625). Although victims are more likely to suffer from mental illness, they are usually not asked about the abuse when they seek mental health care. Thus, they do not receive appropriate referrals or adequate support.
Impact on the Psychological State of Children
Children are the most vulnerable in situations of domestic violence. A child who becomes a witness of domestic violence, and often a victim, is dependent on their parents and cannot take any measures to end the disturbing situation. In addition, children often do not know who to turn to for help. Domestic abuse has multiple negative impacts on a child, even when they are not the object of violence. Children who witness parental abuse are at high risk of acquiring anxiety, depression, poor school performance, low self-esteem, fears, and eating disorders (Mwandu et al. 52). Such children may have a tendency to aggressive behavior in adolescence or, conversely, have an apathetic attitude towards the world around them. In the future, children of abusive parents may find it challenging to build family relationships, projecting violence onto their children in the absence of other behavioral models.
General Public Harm
Domestic violence is a dangerous social phenomenon; it has a destructive effect on a person and hinders emotional and social development. Domestic abuse deprives society of non-disabled people, which negatively affects the economy. Feelings of insecurity that develop as a result of violence create depressive and anxious moods in society. Persons who spread violence create a dangerous stereotype of aggressive behavior in the domestic environment in the community. The moral value of the family is being destroyed, the number of homeless children is increasing, and the ratings of alcohol and drug use are rising (Gadd et al. 1036). The public danger of family violence lies in the criminal consequences and the demoralizing effect on children.
As adults, children who experience domestic violence may continue to use abusive parenting practices on their children. The use of violence is gradually becoming a common way to resolve conflicts in interpersonal relationships. This trend poses a threat to public safety in general. The lack of proper help and the inability to talk about the problem creates a tendency to ignore the issue of domestic abuse. Society hardens and ignores other people’s problems, and the cycle of violence continues.
Ways to Solve the Problem
Reducing the number of domestic violence is complicated because victims are not always able to assess their condition and seek help adequately. If traces of physical abuse are visible, then the effects of emotional abuse may go unnoticed. Currently, victims are protected by the law on domestic violence, which guarantees them any assistance. However, law enforcement officers, whom victims often encounter first, do not have the necessary psychological knowledge to understand the seriousness of the situation from the victim’s words. Further steps must be taken to raise awareness of the problem among law enforcement officials. It must be ensured that the victims receive all the proper support from the police.
Another way to reduce the level of domestic violence is to create a mandatory survey for people seeking psychological help. Often, victims of domestic violence cannot talk about what happened, even during therapy. If a person seeks help with depression, anxiety, or PTSD symptoms, a psychologist or psychiatrist should ask if the person has been abused. This model will allow more victims to be identified and perpetrators not to escape punishment.
Finally, the people around the victim of domestic violence are of great importance. Each person should be aware of the existing problem and know how to help a loved one who finds themselves in such a situation. Non-acceptance of violence in any form should become the norm for any person. If domestic tyrants know that they will face condemnation, this can stop them more than the law. Public stigma and awareness of the signals indicating that a person is experiencing abuse can significantly reduce the risks.
Conclusion
Domestic violence not only destroys the life of the victim but also has an overall negative impact on the development of society. Adults who experience domestic violence develop psychiatric disorders, and the chances of death are high. Children of abusive parents are prone to developing mental disorders, increased alcohol and drug addiction risks, and projecting cruel methods onto their children. To stop domestic violence, state measures are needed to improve the psychological training of police officers. Psychological testing for domestic violence is also a practical tool. Finally, raising public awareness of the problem can significantly reduce the incidence of domestic violence.
Works Cited
Gadd, David, et al. “The Dynamics of Domestic Abuse and Drug and Alcohol Dependency.” The British Journal of Criminology, vol. 59, no. 5, 2019, pp.1035-1053. doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azz011
Hurston, Zora Neale. Their Eyes Were Watching God. India, General Press, 2020.
Mwandu, Mwenso, et al. “Family Domestic Violence: Impact on Children in Lusaka, Zambia.” Archives of Current Research International, vol. 20, no. 5, 2020, pp.50-60. doi.org/10.9734/acri/2020/v20i530197
National Domestic Violence Hotline. “Domestic Violence Statistics.” The Hotline, 2021.
Rivara, Frederick, et al. “The Effects of Violence on Health.” Health Affairs, vol. 38, no.10, 2019, pp.1622-1629. doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00480