Introduction
Generally, domestic violence is critical global concern. Even though women are the most affected group, this vice causes overwhelming problems to most families and social institution. In some cases, children have also been victimized by domestic violence. Most institutions are faced with serious challenges in responding to this issue within communities.
Usually, the impacts of domestic violence can be easily recognized among the victims (Faramarzi, Esmailzadeh, & Mosavi, 2005). This is a considerable provision in the context of family cohesion and viable coexistence. Domestic violence takes place in all ethnic communities, races, ages, and even within different religious groupings. It is not only a social issue but also an economic and health distress.
Thus, different communities and institutions (through the help of social institutions) are advancing policies/strategies that will avert the provisions of domestic violence. According to Malik and Lindahl (1998), domestic violence is defined as an array of forced and assaultive actions. It involves physical, sexual, and oral attacks against a partner or a member of the family. In addition, mental as well as financial attacks are also classified as domestic violence.
Thus, the vice is not categorically restricted to physical violence. However, it is a persistent and systematic use of manipulation, extortion, fear, and physical harms. The perpetrators apply certain approach or a combination of various methods to impart pressure and dominance over their spouses.
However, according to sociologists, proper knowledge of dominance and “power plays” in relationships can help perpetrators to stop domestic violence. This essay seeks to find out how an individual can apply awareness of dominance as well as “power plays” in relations to end domestic violence.
How to use the knowledge of dominance and “power plays” in relationships to end domestic violence
Domestic violence creates disparities between men and women. In addition, it tries to propagate the relegation of women in the society. To be able to effectively deal with this problem, institutions, and organizations against domestic should first understand its background.
Then, they should provide support to the victims by applying both preventive and legal practices. All nations should try as much as possible to fight discrimination against women in every aspect of life, and to offer them assurance of same prospects enjoyed by men. The subject of domestic violence has developed a critical concern within the European countries and beyond. Currently, these nations are undergoing through decisive social-economic reforms.
Evidently, loss of employment, part-time jobs, indiscretion in making payments, and social misfits are critical roots of domestic violence. They lead to frustrations and stress that might cause the alleged violence. In some cases, the consequence of this incorporates increased addiction to alcohol, various kinds of violence, despair, and frustration.
There are several approaches that individuals can adopt to help them desist from domestic violence. These are based on the knowledge of dominance and “power plays” especially in relationships. The first one is to encourage people (through learning programs) to take up their social responsibilities and to lessen or avoid domestic violence cases.
This is a considerable provision in the context of peace and harmony. In every society, both men and women have social responsibilities that should not be ignored when addressing issues of domestic violence. In relationships, both partners have the obligation to show love and care towards their partners.
When such responsibilities are disregarded, the subject of power and dominance sets in. One partner might feel that he or she should be in charge of the family hence manipulating the other partner. In most cases, such provisions result into domestic violence in relationships. Educational programs should focus on gender equality as well as teaching on non-violent conducts. This should be started during early stages and teachers of domestic violence issues should be well versed with vast information on violence and gender fairness.
According to psychologists, the problem of domestic violence is based on the fact that one partner needs to be in control of the other. As such, appropriate method of assisting individuals to stop domestic violence should focus on helping the perpetrators to relinquish their ill-motivated control over others, and also accept to share powers with their partners.
In most cases, the perpetrators are impulsive and demonstrate lower self-esteem (Lopez, Chesney-Lind, & Foley, 2012). Another significant factor in solving domestic violence problems is communication between partners. Spouses should be encouraged to dialogue on the issues that lead to domestic violence (Guerrero, Andersen, &Afifi, 2011). Actually, counseling can only be an effective intervention if it is done jointly with the two partners.
During such counseling sessions, teachings should focus on power sharing as well as thwarting the negative influences of dominating another partner. In addition, teaching should focus on changing the mindset of people who have been impacted by the culture. This is a substantial provision in the context of family cohesion and practicable coexistence
According to most social theories, domestic violence is rooted in the problem of social organizations as well as cultural customs and ethics that endorses or encourages the usage of violence by men against their women spouses. Rather, education and intervention should emphasize on enlightening men about these social and cultural ethics. Additionally, attempt should be made to incorporate them with more stress on non-violence and gender equality in relationships.
According some sociologists, domestic violence can also be caused by poor family structures. Here, issues that contribute much include social communications of families as well as social seclusion of families. Thus, while seeking ways of helping clients to leave domestic violence, proper communication skills aimed at solving conflicts in intimate relations and establishing good family relations should be encouraged among couples.
Creating national awareness is another means of using the knowledge of dominance and power to help in averting domestic violence. This can be done by launching awareness campaigns over the media aimed at encouraging citizens to be calm and friendly. The media should be fortified to cover domestic violence issues on a regular basis.
This is a considerable provision in the context of public awareness, family cohesion, and viable coexistence. Besides being objective, the media should not be biased in such matters. This will not only help in eradicating the mindset of dominance and power in relationships but will also help couples to appreciate the significance of their partnership (Matthews, 2000).
Research shows that domestic violence is strengthened by cultural norms and principles that are frequently talked about through the media as well as other social organizations that encourage it. In most cases, the violence of the offenders is encouraged further by the silence of the peers, members of the family, or other members of the society including the clergy and social service providers.
This makes the perpetrator believe that his or her actions are justified. Therefore, averting this act in the society should also involve the society through the media. The concerned media should try to discourage gender inequality (Bentley, Galliher, & Ferguson, 2007).
Conclusion
In conclusion, domestic violence is very harmful as it destroys excellent family relations and creates inconsiderable mental torment on the victims. Domestic violence is a diverse problem and occurs in all ages, cultural societies, races and different organizations. It is a problem deeply rooted in the belief of dominance and power to control and manipulate the other partner.
Currently, different nations and institutions are striving to avert this problem in the society. In this context, the involved parties should be able to understand the major causes of domestic violence before strategizing to curb its provisions. In this context, it is vital for every couple to determine the best approach to solve this problem.
However, knowledge of dominance and “power plays” in relationships, if properly used, can help to avert domestic violence in the society. Some of the ways viable in using the concerned knowledge include; encouraging couples to share power in relationships, heartening couples to take their responsibilities, as well as conducting campaigns against domestic violence. In addition, encouraging good family relations through proper communication is also important.
Therefore, much emphasis should be laid on dialogue to solve domestic conflicts rather than resorting to violence means. The media should be prepared to cover domestic violence issues on a regular basis. This is a considerable provision in the context of public awareness, family cohesion, and viable coexistence.
References
Bentley, G., Galliher, V. & Ferguson, J. (2007). Associations among Aspects of Interpersonal Power and Relationship Functioning in Adolescent Romantic Couples. Sex Roles 57(7-8), 483-495. DOI: 10.1007/s11199-007-9280-7
Faramarzi, M., Esmailzadeh, S., & Mosavi, S. (2005). A Comparison of Abused and Non-Abused Women’s Definitions of Domestic Violence and Attitudes to Acceptance of Male Dominance. European Journal of Obstetrics& Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, 122(2), 225-231. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2004.11.047
Guerrero, L., Andersen, A. & Afifi, A. (2011). Close Encounters: Communication in Relationships (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Lopez, V., Chesney-Lind, M. & Foley, J. (2012). Relationship Power, Control, and Dating Violence among Latina Girls. Violence against Women, 18(6), 681-690. DOI: 10.1177/1077801212454112
Malik, M. & Lindahl, M. (1998). Aggression and Dominance. The Roles of Power and Culture in Domestic Violence. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice. 5(4), 409-423.
Matthews, A. (2000). Generic Violence Prevention and Gendered Violence: Getting the Message to Mainstream Audiences. Violence against Women, 6(3), 311-331. DOI: 10.1177/10778010022181868