Abstract
Presented in this document is the analysis of a social problem affecting all societies, but recent developments in its culture have forged studies to determine its true effects on social structure. Social scientists have observed that women seem to be most vulnerable even though men are known to be abused by their spouses too. Children also have demonstrated dysfunctional attitudes at school, becoming psychopaths and a menace to society. Psychologists, sociologists, psychoanalysts, and psychiatrists alike have expressed concerns over the battering of women by spouses and children by parents. In this study, ‘Parenting in Battered Women: The Effects of Domestic Violence on Women and their Children,’ Alytia A. Levendosky and Sandra A. Graham-Bermann have deliberated on the issue through research applying theoretical perspectives of scientists who have dedicated years of study in this discipline. Their conclusions are testimonies of a consorted effort at finding answers to this dilemma that plague many societies.
Statement of the Problem
The authors attempted to state the problem by offering an analysis of conditions, which encapsulate Domestic Violence. In reinforcing their position using this forum they adapted a segmented approach by first introducing the problem, creating a conceptual framework then opening a hypothesis on their analogy.
The introduction
The introduction emphatically clarifies an assumption that while studies document the effects of domestic violence on women and children mere documentation is inadequate to address pertinent issues regarding its occurrence, control, and reality of its impact. For example, there is no evaluation of how battering affects the family structure in its entirety. (Levendosky & Graham-Bermann, 2001).
The authors have highlighted a scenario by confirming that the experience produces various levels of depression, altered self-esteem, and general emotional incompetence being incapable of coping with any form of stress. (Levendosky & Graham-Bermann, 2001). Using Herman (1992) as a reference the writers of this journal article admitted that along with the three manifestations mentioned earlier battered women succumb to “complex traumatic syndrome” which is characterized by battered individuals idealizing the batterers with attempts of alienating themselves from such people. (Levendosky & Graham-Bermann, 2001).
Further, in discussing the problem accounting for children as either being battered also, or witnessing the events it was revealed with reference to Hughes (1988) that the far-reaching effects are immeasurable. For instance, it is the perception that these are the children who become so dysfunctional that they poise a great danger to society. They become psychopaths.
It is the view that seldom society shows empathy towards to this dilemma and these unfortunate subjects occupy the jails becoming real threats. Dysfunctional mothers produce dysfunction children; studies have revealed, creating more stressful parenting practices. (Levendosky & Graham-Bermann, 2001).
The Ecological Framework
In interpreting this conceptual Framework and its theoretical implications for Domestic violence the writers adapted Belsky’s (1980) perspective I their analysis of the ecology of domestic violence. Accordingly, Belsky (1980) posits that ecological factors predispose to etiology and prevalence of Domestic Violence within certain vulnerable settings. (Levendosky & Graham-Bermann, 2001).
Borrowing from Bronfendrenner (1977, 1979) the authors culminated their interpretations to project how cultural beliefs and values create the ecology of Domestic Violence. Precisely, this occurs within three distinct systemic domains namely, micro, exo and macro. Micro being activities witnessed within the household; exo, obviously those outside in the wider community and macro is directly related to culture of society and family together, which creates the sociology of the human experience. (Levendosky & Graham-Bermann, 2001)
Consequently, these propositions were used to further predict three influences ecology might have on parenting skills. These included the parents’ psychosocial history; child’s orientation and available supportive mechanism for coping with stress. (Belsky, 1984). Therefore, in stating the problem Levendosky and Graham-Bermann advanced an eclectic paradigm to confirm the occurrence and reality of the impact Domestic Violence has on parenting, especially, among women.
The hypothesis
It is commendable that at this stage in stating the problem the journalists seek to conclude this section of the article by posing a hypothesis for the reader to consider in their reflections on parenting being influenced by domestic violence.
The considerations are not new to the article, but merely reinforce a problem by stating two conceptual models, to guide further research expositions and deliberations as the discussion progresses.
Two conceptual models under review are the ‘direct effects’ and the ‘ecological framework.’ (Levendosky & Graham-Bermann, 2001). Reasons for selecting these are, the authors’ awareness that they were previously used successfully in determining factors affecting parenting as it pertains to domestic violence. Also, the second integrates a number of theoretical perspectives in arriving at favorable outcomes on the subject.
Interesting Points about the Article
Relevance
‘Parenting in Battered Women: The Effects of Domestic Violence on Women and their Children,’ is an article which contains appropriate information for a twenty-first century culture of Domestic violence. It is still practiced as acceptable institutionalized behavior in many societies.
Therefore, it provides essential guidelines for sociologist, social workers and psychologists alike in their prophylactic approaches towards resolving the menaced of domestic violence in our societies.
Theoretical perspectives
This can be considered an academic piece of literature with well researched information. Both the ecological and direct theoretical perspectives espoused by the authors have flavored the article with scientific credence. Empirical evidence was presented to validate assumptions and stimulate thinking.
Methodology and Instrumentation
It is very commendable that the researchers conducted their investigation by selecting a sample of 120 women who had at least one child 7-12 yrs and were residing in a domestic violence shelter. A complementary sample was also obtained from abused women in urban communities. (Levendosky & Graham-Bermann, 2001)
Questionnaires were administered measuring different levels of effects of battering on the selected sample. These instruments included the conflict tactics scale (CTS); Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI); Post Traumatic Scale for Traumatic women (PTSD); Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) and Social Support Quality of life scale to name a few of the extensive instruments used to investigate the phenomenon in its entirety. (Levendosky & Graham-Bermann, 2001)
Structural Presentation
From this standpoint it can be confirmed that this journal article is a professionally structured document. It contains an introduction in the statement of the problem; diagrammatic illustrations for analysis; identification of a scientific methodology; description of sampling techniques and samples; outline of strategies for data collection; display of data interpretation techniques using specific measurements and the application of research instruments.
Summary
Purpose
The primary hypothesis for this study as outlined by the authors is the ecological model since it could have been used to propel the path towards realization of the research purpose; being to identify the Effects of Domestic Violence on Women and their Children.
In choosing the secondary model ‘direct effects,’ the intention was to test variables, which were inaccessible when applying the ecological approach to the study. Subsequently, fulfilling the purpose could be more attainable.
Findings
Data was displayed using charts and diagrammatic illustrations. Interpretation was delivered by applying inferential statistics. Further, conclusions were drawn and findings were comprehensively added to the body of Knowledge. Effects of Domestic Violence on parenting were assessed by interpreting the mothers’ negative psychological functioning and marital satisfaction. From this study negative psychological functioning was positively related to marital satisfaction. The severity was increased through frequency and chronicity. (Levendosky & Graham-Bermann, 2001).
Child abuse and not merely witnessing it was a major determinant in the way children were affected by Domestic Violence activities in their environment. Interestingly this study proved that marital relations did not influence parenting in any way. Conclusively, further findings emphasized that parenting skills were the major source of recovery in children affected by domestic violence.
Precisely, when exosystemic factors were evaluated it was clear that lack of social support and a negative life events were predisposing elements related to efficient psychological functioning.
Limitations
Even though the authors seemed satisfied with the overall outcome of this study they conceded that a major limitation is that it was not comprehensive enough to eliminate interpretation biases, therefore, further studies for clarification is encouraged.
Personal Opinions
This comprehensive expository research on Domestic violence passionately embraces the social phenomenon as a dysfunction in contemporary developed societies. The personal view of this writer is while researchers are being conducted on this issue and measures taken to label it a social problem in many communities around the world still favor corporal punishment as a means of discipline.
The question then is how much research can reorient towards some societies into thinking that flogging a child in the home or school is Domestic violence. It is understood that adults must refrain from this practice, but what about children and criminals? Violence whether it is domestic or otherwise becomes a social problem.
References
Belsky, J. (1980). Child maltreatment; An ecological integration. Am.Psychol. 35: 320- 335.
Belsky, J. (1984). The determinants of parenting: A Process model. Child Dev. 55: 83-90.
Bronfendrenner, U. (1977). Toward an Experimental ecology of human development. Am.Psychol. 32: 513-531.
Bronfendrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development, Harvard Press, Cambridge, MA.
Herman, J. L. (1992a). Complex PDST: A syndrome in survivors of prolonged and repeated trauma. J. Trauma. Stress 5: 377-391.
Herman, J. L. (1992b). Trauma and Recovery, Basic Books, New York.
Hughes, H. M. (1988).Psychological and behavioral correlates of family violence in child witnesses and victims: Am. J. Orthopsychaitry:58: 77-79.
Hughes, H.M., and Barrad, S. J (1983). Psychological functioning of children in a battered women’s shelter: preliminary investigation. Am.J. Orthopsychiatry53: 525-531.
Hughes, H. M., and Graham- Bermann, S. (1998). Children of battered women: Impact of emotional abuse on adjustment and development. J. Emo. Ab.1: 23-50.
Levendosky, A., & Graham- Bermann, S. (2001). Parenting in battered women: the effects of domestic violence on women and their children. Journal of Family Violence, 16(2).