Domestic Violence among African Americans Essay Example for Free

interior(prenominal) Violence among Afri laughingstock Ameri burn downs EssayDomestic violence is guy that occurs within a personal relationship. It can occur between former or current mates or significant differents. Domestic violence doesnt fork out a name it affects both men and women of any race, piety gay or slumpful(a) upper class or low class adolescents, adults, or seniors. But most of its victims be women instead men. era interior(prenominal) violence is present in all races, the existence among African Americans is significantly high(prenominal) in the United States. There atomic number 18 military many elements that read been shown to stimulate a person to choose in internal violence examples are failing relationships, lack of employment, poor school systems, violent communities, medicate use and the multitude of nearby accessible liquor stores. Experiencing any these situations can lead to strong emotions that can ultimately result in domestic viol ence. People who experience domestic violence are late affected and often live in fear.This plague has broken down and destroyed many African American communities. There are serious tangible and mental health risks involved in domestic Violence. Abortion, stress, unconsented sexual encounters, possible suicides, complicated pregnancies and murder are few possible natural results from domestic violence. (Bent-Goodley, 2004) Abuse, falsify and violence are comp cardinalnts of domestic violence. Neither the yellr nor the person being ill-use are winners in these type of situations. The ill-treatr actions shows characteristics of controlling, anger, oppressor, possessiveness, power and liar. The abusers victims are usually people that can be manipulated, scared and shield by the abuser. Although the abuser may be an adult most often their mental capacity displays claw ilk fashion. A child will typically throw fits and become angry when things get int go their way or they didn t get what they commanded. This anger that possess is shown through mental and physical abuse.Abuser are usually non very open people and they believe that are right in every situation. However, they never take the blame for their actions and slant to blame others, most often their spouse. The victimsof abuse dispose to show characteristics of having low self-esteem, sadness and being unconfident astir(predicate) 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 unsound 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 substance abuse at higher(prenominal) rates. (Hill, et al, 2012)African American abusers w ho has previously used a weapon or threatened their spouse with one during arguments, will more 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. affable and cultural article of faiths, 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 offensive relationship and then retrogress to it compared to white women. (Agazie, 2011) African American women suffer mistreatment over a long period of time and have a tendencies fight 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 under 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 upbringing 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 choices than White women (2) African American womens income is normally cut than of mostWhite women (3) Black 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 partners. Losing financial means may also moderate to the reason why 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 victuals and, in order to keep their current living status so they remain quiet more or less 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 interpreted serious by law en strong suitment. 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 found 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 might expect. A adult female with multiple degrees or at the highest level of social strata is as vulnerable to domestic violence as the woman who did not graduate form high school. It as 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 ceaselessly 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 prayer to cope with the difficulties in their lives. (Watlington Murphy, 2006) The Black church h as 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, diplomatic minister of an independent ministry that worked out of the world(a) 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 interpreted 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 handbill a message to Weeks MySpace page that read, Bishop Weeks, dont be discouraged, but be encouraged. Stand firm and know that the passe-partout 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 abu se and only provided him with scriptures. making her call into question what he could offer her if she were a victim 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 salmagundi 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 sidereal 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 in the end 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 limited 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). Domest ic Violence in the African American Community. diary of Aggression, ill-treatment Trauma, Vol. 16 supply 3, p229-237. 9p. Agazie, Maxine. (2011). Cultural Considerations Impacting Domestic Violence Among African American Women Implications for complaisant Work. Conflict Resolution dialog 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 wellness Social Work, Vol. 29 Issue 4, p307-316. 10p. Hill, Nicholle Woodson, Kamilah Ferguson, Angela Parks, Carlton. (2012). Intimate Partner Abuse among African American Lesbians Prevalence, Risk Factors, Theory, and Resilience. Journal of Fami ly Violence, Vol. 27 Issue 5, p401-413. 13p. Campbell, Jacquelyn Campbell, Doris W. Gary, Faye Nedd, Daphne Price-Lea, Patricia Sharps, Phyllis W. Smith, Cheryl. (2008). African American Womens Responses to Intimate Partner Violence An Examination of Cultural Context. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment Trauma, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p277-295. 19p Bent-Goodley, Tricia St. Vil, Noelle Hubbert, Paulette. (2012). A Spirit Unbroken The Black Churchs Evolving Response to Domestic Violence. Social Work Christianity. 2012, Vol. 39 Issue 1, p52-65. 14p. Wimberly, Edward P. (2000). The Civil Rights Movement as a Potential Mentoring Model for destination Domestic Abuse. Journal of Religion Abuse, Vol. 2 Issue 1, p33. 16p. Hampton, Robert L. LaTaillade, Jaslean J. Dacey, Alicia Marghi, J. R. (2008). Evaluating Domestic Violence Interventions for Black Women. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment Trauma, Vol. 16 Issue 3, p330-353. 23p. Haines, E. (2007). Charges against husband put new focus on te levangelist. USA Today.com. Retrieved from http//www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-09-01-ynum_N.htm Jordan, L. M. (2005). Domestic violence in the African American community. Retrieved from http//new.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/RoleoftheBlackChurch.pdf