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Conflict theory
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Conflict theory emphasises that society and the criminal justice system all function on behalf of the rich and powerful, with the consequential policies intended at controlling the poor, often preserving a system where the upper class maintains power and all the other classes remain not only economically disadvantaged but are left almost powerless as well. (Greek, C 2005). This essay will examine the nature and extent of domestic and family violence and define how and why it is considered a social problem today. It will consider what it involves, the extent and frequency of it in society, and who is most affected by it. The concept of conflict theory will then be outlined and applied to the social problem by focusing on two key theorists whose work can be used to provide a suitable explanation for the existence of domestic and family violence. Domestic and family violence have been present is almost every society of the world since the medieval times, where husbands had the power of life or death over their wives, as long as it was for disciplinary reasons (Pleck,1987; Davis, 1971). In today’s society domestic and family violence is referred to as a particular pattern of behaviour, which includes the deliberate and methodical use of violence and abusive tactics to create fear and obtain power and control over their partner. Domestic and family violence is not a private issue. It is a social issue. It is a political issue. It is a moral issue. It is a social problem because the effects are felt far outside the home; it has serious human, social and economic consequences both for the women who endure it and for society as a whole. Domestic and family violence is damaging to women’s personal and financial independence and can do ser... ... middle of paper ... ... shorter every time to the point of the violence and abuse occurring without lead-up or subsequent remorse By looking at both Karl Marx and Max Weber’s view of conflict theory, it is easy to establish how such concept can provide a good explanation for domestic and family violence. Marx’s concept of capitalism and the economic system, and Weber’s concept of power and authority are easily identified in matters of domestic and family violence, where the male, and often the abuser, will proclaim all power over their partner, their income and the household, and leave the female, often the victim, to lead a life of abuse both physical and non-physical at the hands of their abuser. There are many different ways through which domestic and family violence can be viewed and defined, however Conflict Theory seems to be able to provide the best explanation in regards to it.
In this paper I will be telling you many different forms of domestic violence. I will include the physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, spiritual abuse, economic abuse, social abuse, and emotional abuse. I will also describe the "cycle of violence", teen dating violence, and why women stay with an abusive partner.
Every year about 4000 women die in the U.S. because of the domestic violence. Every year this number gets higher and higher. Even though we live in the 21st century people can’t find the way to improve the situation. But before searching for the solution, people should understand what domestic violence is. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, domestic violence is: “any abuse—including physical, emotional, sexual, or financial—between intimate partners, often living in the same household” (Encyclopedia Britannica). Most of the people believe that domestic
Although domestic violence can include the abuse of parents, children, siblings and other relatives, it predominantly involves violence against sexual partners with women being the most common victims and men being the 'aggressors' (Family Violence Professional Education Taskforce 1991). It is inadequate to view domestic violence as an aspect of the normal interpersonal conflict which takes place in most families. According to McCue (1995), many families experience conflict, but not all male members of families inevitably resort to violence. It is not the fact of family disputes or marital conflict that generate or characterize violence in the home. Violence occurs when one person assumes the right to dominate over the other and decides to use violence or abuse as a means of ensuring that domination (Family Violence Professional Education Taskforce 1991).
“Domestic violence is an emotional, physical, psychological, or sexual abuse perpetrated against a person by a person's spouse, former spouse, partner, former partner or by the other parent of a minor child” (McCue 2). While it is these things, the violence is also considered a pattern of demeanor used to establish power and control over another person with whom an intimate relationship is or has been shared through fear and intimidation (“Domestic Violence Sourcebook” 9). It has many names, including spouse abuse, domestic abuse, domestic assault, battering, partner abuse, marital strife, marital dispute, wife-beating, marital discord, woman abuse, dysfunctional relationship, intimate fighting, mate beating, and so on (2). Donna Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Accommodations, believes that domestic violence is “terrorism in the home” (2). This type of abuse involves threats, harm, injury, harassment, control, terrorism, or damage to living beings/property (2). It isn't only in relationships with spouses, it also occurs within family, elderly, and children (9).
Although conflicts subsist inevitable, the degree to which individuals react to the conflict stands well-regulated. While some individuals react with negotiations and agreements, others rely on the power of violence and degradation. According to the text, domestic violence reflects “a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner” (Olson, DeFrain, & Skogrand, 2014, p. 427). When contemplating domestic violence, many individual’s minds wander to physical abuse, but domestic abuse subsists far greater, including physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and psychological abuse. In essence, domestic violence reflects any stable, and regulated, behavior dictated on demonstrating superiority and
During the 1980s and 1900s, domestic violence was one of the most unreported crimes that involve females and males getting hurt and dying. Kicking, choking, killing, and saying brutal or despise words that could hurt the victims physically or emotionally are considered domestic violence. In fact, many victims are afraid to seek for help. According to “The Domestic Violence Resource Center (DVRC), women account for approximately 85 percent of all intimate partner violence, with women aged 20-24 at greater risk” (Batten, par.16). Most pregnant women are at risk as well. “But underlying approach is still one that assumes the perpetrators are men and the victims are woman” (Haugen, par. 1). Moreover, both males and females believe that domestic violence is a solution to their issues.
Violence is common around the world. We see it everyday, but what happens when violence enters the home of a married couple or a simple relationship. What was once a happy couple in love suddenly takes a sudden turn into violent and aggressive behavior. A behavior which is addressed as Domestic Violence. There is much more to the matter, such as causes, preventing the violence, treatments and who it affects. All which play a very important role in the world of domestic violence.
Life is filled with many difficulties which affect us all in one way or another. However, we do not all face the same difficulties. If we are to survive we need to first understand what these difficulties or problems are, in order to learn how to deal with them. One such problem is, is domestic violence. It is necessary to determine whether the problem is personal one or due to society (social problems), so that the individuals involved can learn how to deal with their situation.
There are many different types of domestic violence. Physical abuse is the most obvious form, but this is not to say that outsiders always recognize it. Generally, physical violence causes bodily harm, using a variety of methods. Slapping, pushing, throwing, hitting, punching, and strangling are only a few methods. An object or weapon may or may not be used. There is not always physical evidence of physical abuse such as bruising, bleeding, scratches, bumps, etc., therefore, absence of physical marks does not necessarily mean physical abuse had not occurred. Physical abuse sometimes escalates to murder (Morris and Biehl 7, Haley 14-17).
Introduction to Intimate Partner Violence Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a tremendously serious social and public health problem. Progression of intimate partner violence can lead to morbidity or mortality and affect various types of relationships. An intimate partner is one that is described by frequent contact, identifying as a couple, emotional bonding, and regular physical and/or sexual contact. A few examples of intimate partners include dating partners, spouses, girlfriends or boyfriends, and sexual partners. Violence within these intimate relationships can be psychological, physical, or sexual and present in heterosexual relationships, homosexual relationships, and to disabled partners in relationships.
“One woman is beaten by her husband or partner every 15 seconds in the United States” (Stewart & Croudep, 1998-2012). Domestic violence can interfere with the husband-wife relationship because one spouse is always in constant fear of the other. This violence could vary from physical abuse to ps...
Family violence, both physical and psychological/emotional, is an incredibly important issue for today’s families. It is important that we understand the environments and contributors that lead to the increased probability of family violence occurring. Many theories and approaches have been created to understand what causes abuse to occur but I found the family violence framework to be most interesting. Created by Murray Straus and Richard Gelles (Hattery & Smith, 2012, p. 7), this framework looks at the relationships created within families. These relationships often involve “obligations and responsibilities” (p. 7) as well as “status and power” (p. 7) that cause tension within families and can ultimately lead to abuse.
Domestic violence can either be physical, psychological or even both. It is one of the most destructive things that someone can go through, I know first hand how hard it is to leave an abusive relationship and how guilty the abuser makes you feel if you ever try and leave. Domestic violence can happen to anyone young or old either man or woman. Some sociological theories suggest that violence is learned behavior another suggests that it is learned from the abusers or victims family. Domestic violence has a tendency to be passed down from generation to generation this learned behavior ties into the symbolic interactionism theory.
Historically, domestic violence was viewed as only involving physical abuse. However, the more contemporary view of domestic violence has come to include not only physical types of abuse; but as well as emotional, sexual, physiological, and economic violence that may be committed
Domestic violence is skyrocketing in our society. In the U.S., as many as 1.5 million women and 850,000 men were physically assaulted by their intimate partner last year, and numerous children abused by their parents. These sad criminal acts will continue to grow in our society, unless our community takes action to stop these crimes.