VIOLENCE IN THE FAMILY - TESTIMONY PREPARED BY THE COALITION OF FAMILY ORGANIZATIONS (FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 1978, P 308-327, 1978 - SEE NCJ-65505)

• NCJ Number: 65508
• Author(s): S K STEINMETZ
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 27 pages
• Corporate Author: Family Service Assoc of America; National Council on Family Relations; American Home Economics Assoc; American Assoc for Marriage and Family Therapy
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Statistics
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

STATISTICS ON FAMILY VIOLENCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ITS REDUCTION ARE PRESENTED IN TESTIMONY TO THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CHILD AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT BY A SPECIALIST IN FAMILY VIOLENCE ISSUES.

Abstract

THE EXTENT OF FAMILY VIOLENCE IS STATISTICALLY EXAMINED IN THE AREAS OF MARITAL VIOLENCE, PARENT-CHILD VIOLENCE, SIBLING VIOLENCE, AND THE BATTERED ELDERLY PARENT. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SEVERE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OF THE CHILD BY THE PARENT AND SUBSEQUENT CHILD ABUSE IN THE NEXT GENERATION IS SUGGESTED IN ESTIMATES OF CHILD ABUSE INCIDENCE. SIBLING VIOLENCE, PROBABLY THE MOST NORMAL FORM OF FAMILY VIOLENCE, OFTEN RESULTS IN VIOLENT AND FATAL ATTACKS, AS EVIDENCED BY THE STATISTIC THAT NEARLY 2 MILLION CHILDREN HAVE FACED A GUN OR A KNIFE DURING THEIR CHILDHOOD. MARITAL VIOLENCE IS EVIDENCED IN ALL GEOGRAPHIC AREAS AND AMONG ALL SOCIOECONOMIC CLASSES OF THE POPULATION. AN INCREASE IS PREDICTED IN THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE CHILDREN USE TO CONTROL ELDERLY PARENTS, DUE TO THE INCREASED ECONOMIC CONFLICT BETWEEN THE NEEDS OF PARENTS AND THE GOALS OF THEIR CHILDREN. STATISTICAL DATA ARE ALSO DISCUSSED THAT SUGGEST THE INCIDENCE OF SPOUSAL HOMICIDE AND FILICIDE. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERVENING IN AND PREVENTING FAMILY VIOLENCE INCLUDE 1) PROVISION FOR SHORT-TERM NEEDS OF BATTERED CHILDREN AND SPOUSES IN SHELTERS AND FOSTER CARE AND GROUP HOMES, 2) ADOPTION OF SHORT-TERM INTERVENTION MEASURES FOR REDUCING FAMILY VIOLENCE, AND 3) APPROVAL OF FEDERALLY FUNDED ABORTIONS TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF UNWANTED CHILDREN. RAISING THE SELF-ESTEEM OF ABUSING PARENTS AND BATTERED WIVES AND PROVIDING FOR NONSEXIST SOCIALIZATION OF ALL CHILDREN ARE NEEDED, AS IS INCORPORATION OF MARRIAGE AND PARENTING CONCEPTS INTO ALREADY EXISTING COURSES AT ALL LEVELSOF EDUCATION. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT VALUE SYSTEMS AND PRIORITIES MUST BE REEVALUATED IN ORDER TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY AMONG YOUTHS, DEEMPHASIZE THE USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE AS A METHOD OF CONTROL, AND DEVISE WORKABLE TOTAL SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR THE ABUSED.