Abusive Relationships (Essay Sample)

Abusive Relationships
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Abusive relationships are so common in our society today. Statistics indicate that in every nine seconds, there is woman battery in the United States (Karakurt & Silver, 2013). Abuse in relationships can be physical, emotional, gender based or child abuse. This essay will discuss the causes of abusive relationship, their treatment and services available to victims of abusive relationships.
To begin with, young age in the major cause of violence among intimate partners. Around 20% of women in adolescent age suffer physical or emotional torture in their relationship (Karakurt & Silver, 2013). Female partners sustain physical injuries and emotional torture as they try to defend themselves from forced sex. In addition, threats and abuse from partners causes psychological suffering. Women suffer emotional stress easily when their partners abuse, threaten or call them names because of their vulnerability to emotional torture.
Gender difference is the other cause violence in intimate relationships. Karakurt and Silver, (2013) argue that women actively trigger violence and get physical more readily. However, male partner cause physical injuries more easily. Traditions that promote male chauvinism give men control over their female partners (Payne & Wermeling, 2009).
Emotional abuse among men is on the rise due to overemphasis on female empowerment (Karakurt & Silver, 2013). Allocation of more resources to promote female life and enforcement of law to protect female rights has given women more autonomy and access to wealth as men. This has shifted gender roles and created a level playing ground for control of scarce wealth causing emotional torture among men.
Poor socio-economic status of one partner shifts the control of resources to one partner. A sense of dependence and submission ensue among the economically weak partners. Failure to involve them in decision-making creates a sense of alienation, solitude and emotional stress. The circumstances are worse when the female partner belongs to a minor race (Payne & Wermeling, 2009).
Use of alcohol impairs a person’s ability to make judgment and predisposes one to violent behavior. Zavala and Spohn, (2010) argue that alcohol use by male partner predisposes the female partner to physical abuse. Aggressive behaviors of one partner following alcohol consumption are a contribution of other factors like anger, depression, emotional abuse or life stress. Current studies indicate that chance for emotional or physical harm is high when both partners are under the influence of alcohol (Zavala & Spohn, 2010).
Family breakup and separation is the rampant cause of emotional abuse to children. In most cases, the female partner gets more concerned about the welfare of their children than the father does. On the other hand, as the mother is fleeing from battery with her children, she has no immediate place to seek custody (Moe, 2009). Besides, food, good education for her children becomes a challenge to single mothers in the post-separation period.
Emotional abuse of children is another growing concern in relationships today. Inability to provide parental love when the child needs it most creates sense of neglect in these children during their tender age. Children whose parents are drugs addicts, homeless or poor are vulnerable to psychological trauma (Moe, 2009). They are deprived parenthood love and essential privileges in their life as they are growing.
There are many treatment centers and services for victims of abusive relationships in the US. First, psychotherapy is very instrumental in helping a person express bitter thoughts associated with abusive relationships. In addition, it helps in the development of new strategies for self-care during moment of emotional overwhelming. Psychotherapy employs various techniques like meditation, use of support groups or experiential techniques to promote psychological healing of abusive relationship survivors. Interaction with others of similar problems in group therapy helps in combating feelings of shame and guilt (Moe, 2009). A one on one relationship is important for those who do not want exposure in group therapies.
Besides counseling, medical centers provide treatment to heal wounds, bruises and other injuries sustained in abusive relationships. Besides treatment, hospitals initiate attachment with the social workers within the facility. The social worker is responsible for ensuring comfortable life for the patient after discharge from the hospital. In addition, they also work with police to enforce law and protect the victim from the perpetrators while awaiting court ruling (Moe, 2009).
To promote psychological healing and prevent further victimization, many social services are present to support and protect abuse survivors. Restraining orders restricts an abusive partner from going to the complainant premises, calling or writing to her or him. An order restraining a father from the children prohibits him from physically having contact or the children (Moe, 2009). This ensures security from the perpetrators even during the post separation period.
In addition, there are social services for protecting children who suffer either physical or emotional cruelty from their parents or guardians. Social workers safe this child from the psychological torture of living with parents who will no...