Domestic Violence among African American

Domestic Violence among African American

Summary

The focus of this essay is to look into domestic violence among African Americans. African Americans are descendants of enslaved Africans currently living in the United States. The article looks into three key aspects. First, the causes of domestic violence are highlighted. Second, the consequences are discussed. Lastly, measures to mitigate domestic violence in African American families are proposed. These three aspects provide in-depth insight into the issue.

Introduction

Domestic violence is a social vice affecting a large number of families globally. African American families in the United States are of no exception.  Domestic violence has been broadly described as any violent or aggressive behavior within a home that involves abuse from a spouse of a partner (United Nations, 2016). Women are the most often victims of domestic violence in the subject families. They are of Victims Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), which includes acts of physical abuse, sexual violence, emotional violence, and controlling behavior (KO, 2015).  Regardless of the sensitivity and significance of the subject issue, little attention has been paid to it. Understanding domestic violence is quite essential. First, it will create awareness amongst African American families on what qualifies for domestic violence. It will also provide guidelines on what steps one should take if they are victims of domestic violence.  An in-depth analysis of the subject issue will also equip social services, state, and national departments with reliable and valid information. This will facilitate the creation of effective strategies to mitigate domestic violence in these homes. The evaluation will look into the causes, effects, and ways of reducing domestic violence in African American families.

Causes of Domestic Violence in African American Families

Domestic violence has been attributed to several factors.  One of the significant reasons for domestic violence is sexism. This occurs when black women feel obligated to fulfill their sex-based roles according to traditional beliefs (Philpart, 2019). They have to match what society expects of them. This includes embracing and withstanding domestic violence from their husbands. Men, on the other hand, are expected to take the leadership role and control their families. Some go all the way and exert ultimate control, which may be portrayed in the form of domestic violence (Kim, 2017). The need to control the partner may also result from psychological issues. These include low self-esteem, inferiority complex, anger issues, or extreme people (USAID, 2016).  Children who are brought up as victims of domestic violence may also grow up believing that violence is a usual way to solve conflicts. Boys may end up being violent husbands, and girls may be victimized in their future marriages. Alcohol and drug abuse have also been identified as a cause of domestic violence in African American families (KO, 2015).

Effects of Domestic Violence in African American Families

Domestic violence has many consequences. First, it leads to homicide cases. According to research, 40-70% of female murder victims were killed by their husbands or their boyfriends (WHO/LSHTM, 2010). Domestic violence also increases the chance of committing suicide or contracting life-threatening diseases.  It also leads to adverse sexual and reproductive health issues, which include unwanted pregnancies, abortion, miscarriages, sexual dysfunction, and abortion (KO, 2015). Domestic violence also affects the mental health of the victim by creating depression, anxiety, and phobias. It also triggers drug usage, which may lead to addiction. Apart from mental health, domestic violence also causes physical injury (Campbell, 2012). It has been known to cause fractured and broken bones, attempted strangulation, bruises, welts, lacerations, among others. Lastly, children raised in these families may experience negative social and behavioral consequences (Holt, 2018). These experiences include anxiety, depression, isolation, low self-esteem, and poor school performance. Children may also suffer from poor health conditions as parents may not prioritize their welfare.

Mitigation of Domestic Violence in African American Families

Dealing with domestic violence would help in reducing the cases and eliminating the negative experiences and consequences. The first way to do so would be to create awareness in the subject community (Swart, 2013). This would include educating black American families on the risk, patterns, and magnitudes associated with domestic violence. Community mobilization should also e executed by the use of mass media strategies. This will facilitate the change of norms, community responses, and individual attitudes towards domestic violence (Johnson, 2011).  Life skills and school bases programs can also be used to achieve the same. Also, women should be empowered socially and economically.  For instance, combining microfinance and gender-equality maybe aid in reducing levels of domestic violence in African American families. Lastly, legal frameworks should be reformed. Reforms should include strengthening women’s rights and improving available laws implemented to curb domestic violence (World Health Organization, 2010). The law should also provide clear guidelines on what is socially unacceptable while also sensitizing police and judges on domestic violence. Implementation of these recommendations would facilitate the reduction of domestic violence in African American families.

Conclusion

In conclusion, analyzing domestic violence among African Americans is instrumental in curbing the issue. It gives insight that creates awareness and facilitates the identification of practical measures to be implemented. Since women are the most affected victims, mitigation measures should prioritize on empowering women. Legal systems should be reformed, and the community mobilized to change normalized vices on domestic violence. Children should also be sensitized to stop inter-generational cases of domestic violence. By doing so, consequences like physical and mental injuries, homicide and suicidal cases, alcohol and drug abuse amongst others will be avoided.

References

Campbell, J.C. (2012) Health consequences of intimate partner violence. Lancet, 359(9314), 1331–36

Holt, S. (2018).The impact of exposure to domestic violence on children and young people: a review of the literature. Child Abuse & Neglect, 32(8), 797–810

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Kim, J.C. (2017). Understanding the impact of a microfinance-based intervention on women’s empowerment and the reduction of intimate partner violence in South Africa. American Journal of Public Health, 97(10), 1794

KO, C. (2015). Sexual violence against women and children in Chinese societies. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, 10(1), 69–85

Philpart, M. (2019).Prevalence and risk factors of gender-based violence committed by male college students in Awassa, Ethiopia. Violence and Victims, 24(1), 122–36

Swart, L.A. (2013). Violence in adolescents’ romantic relationships: findings from a survey amongst school-going youth in a South African community. Journal of Adolescence, 25(4), 385–95

United Nations (2016). Ending violence against women: from words to action. An in-depth study on all forms of violence against women. Report of the Secretary-General. New York United Nations General Assembly.

USAID (2016). Addressing gender-based violence through USAID’s health programs: a guide for health sector program officers. Washington, DC, USAID/IGWG

WHO/LSHTM. (2010). Preventing intimate partner and sexual violence against women: taking action and generating evidence. Geneva/London, World Health Organization/ London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

World Health Organization (2010).Violence prevention: the evidence. Preventing violence by developing life skills in children and adolescents. Geneva.

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