Introduction
Teen dating violence is a crucial topic for discussion in many organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Education, and the National Conference of State Legislatures. In the United States, millions of teenagers, both male and female, experience this type of violence annually. The urgency of this theme is also explained by the unequal distribution of maltreatment among minority groups. Another critical aspect of teen dating violence is its incredible prevalence in the most protected communities, which reveals frightening but, unfortunately, not surprising results (Chatterjee, 2019). Some people know how to resist violent behaviors and overcome traumas. In some cases, dating violence is hard to predict, and many studies aim at investigating its signs, extent, effects, and prevention programs. Human behavior is a complex issue, and the development of normal relationships depends on a variety of factors. In this paper, attention will be paid to violence during teen dates, its signs, and outcomes. Teen dating violence is a serious public problem that requires the improvement of the population awareness, the establishment of a safe environment, and the promotion of trust and respect.
Adolescence and Teen Dates
Adolescence is a significant period in the life of every person that is characterized by a number of changes, either emotional or physiological. From the point of view of social development, teenagers become open to romantic relationships, with its multiple forms, durations, and endings (Wincentak et al., 2017). At the same time, adolescence, also known as puberty time, leads to hormonal changes, the lack of behavioral control, and body re-shaping. Taking into consideration all these transformations and available opportunities, the question of their impact on human relationships cannot be neglected. There are many internal and external factors that influence social responsibilities. Unfortunately, romantic relationships are not always associated with positive emotions and love affairs. Sometimes, teen dates become the sources of conflicts and misunderstandings, resulting in violence and various harms (Wincentak et al., 2017). Young people are not always able to realize how to build serious relationships with each other and try different ways, following their principles, ideas, and observed examples. However, their experiences are usually poor and limited, and such problems as bullying and aggression determine the quality of teen interactions, and teen dating violence is a possible outcome.
Definition of Teen Dating Violence
Nowadays, there are many ways of how to organize a teen date and find a person for common activities and interests. However, when young people address a teen dating site, they can hardly think about violence or unpleasant emotions. It is normal to expect something new good and exciting from such meetings. Still, many authors and researchers underline the importance of considering both advantages and threats of teen dates, saying that teen dating violence remains a public health concern (Debnam et al., 2016). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), teen dating violence occurs between two individuals who are in a close relationship. The representatives of the California Department of Public Health (2020) specify that it is a type of violence among adolescents aged from 10 to 24 years in past/current/potential romantic affairs. Dating violence may gain several forms, and young people should recognize their signs and predict the worst consequences. The investigations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) identify four main types of violent human behaviors:
- Psychical violence, the signs of which are an intention or act of hitting, kicking, or the application of physical force;
- Sexual violence, the signs of which are the use of force to participate in a sex act or sexual touching without consent;
- Psychological aggression, the sign of which is verbal/non-verbal communication with the intent to cause emotional harm;
- Stalking, the sign of which is unwanted (usually repeated) attention that provokes fears or discomfort.
One should admit that the modern world is always changing, using already made achievements and technological progress. In regard to such a position, the California Department of Public Health (2020) extends the list of abuse types by economic and technological violence. For example, some adolescents could use their love relationships and statuses of families to solve their financial problems. Social media is another source of abuse that people have to discover because online communication is hard to control. Today, it is possible to use various technological devices and special software programs to track location or check if a message is read or not, enhancing stalking and controlling behaviors (Murray & Azzinaro, 2019). Some teenagers know how to resist such relationships, and some of them need help.
The boundaries between flirt and abuse are blurred, and many young men and women fail to understand when a person has an intention to impress or to hurt. Dating violence may happen on the first date with an unknown person or in several months or years when people fall in love deeply (The Office on Women’s Health, 2018). Despite the conditions under which abuse occurs, a victim should never think that it is their fault and be ready to identify the signs of violence in order to ask for help and protect themselves. For example, when one person tells another person that he or she owns sex in exchange for a date, it is sexual abuse (The Office on Women’s Health, 2018). Physical abuse happens when an individual makes an attempt to isolate a dating partner within a short period of time. In addition, such situations like a refusal to take responsibility for actions, unwillingness to end relationships, or control with constant checks signalize about threats and violence. Not many teens consider these signs as a threat but believe that is some form of care and protection.
Nowadays, some teens start their sexual relationships at an early age. As soon as the first dates are over, they want to strengthen their feelings. An example of dating violence is also the desire to stop using birth control means like condoms or pills. A partner convinces that there is no health threat to their unprotected sex (because of the absence of other sexual partners). Such emotional and verbal abuse also includes the denial of visiting healthcare providers. In order to demonstrate their feelings and correct mistakes or inappropriate behaviors, dating abusers find it effective to apologize and use jealousy as an excuse (The Office on Women’s Health, 2018). With time, emotional violence becomes a normal behavior, and a boyfriend or a girlfriend tries to make a partner feel guilty or purposefully embarrasses in order to predict the end of victimization (Debnam et al., 2016). If any of these situations are similar to those a person experiences, additional help, support, and care have to be discovered.
Prevalence
In the United States, the theme of teen dating violence is common because of different reasons. Unstable peer relationships, family problems, social abuse, inequality, and prejudice cause people to behave cruelly as a means to protect themselves. First dates may be sources of unpredictable violence and threats to human life. The research team of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) states that approximately 1 in 11 female high school students and 1 in 15 male teens officially reported physical dating violence in 2019. Sexual dating violence became a serious challenge for about 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 36 boys of the school age (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Regarding such data, it is possible to say that, on the average, one in three American teenagers may be considered as a dating violence victim. Before age 18, nearly 26% of women and 15% of men experience dating violence, starting from unwanted touches and ending with unwanted penetration (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020; Wincentak et al., 2017). Despite the improved awareness and preventive measures, these numbers continue changing in the United States.
The analysis of current statistics also shows that teen dating violence is dangerous because it takes the lives of young people. For example, between the period 2003-2016, about 2,000 adolescents were killed, and 150 of them were killed by their current or former sexual partners (Chatterjee, 2019). Globally, the number of female victims of dating abuse increases (about 90%) (Chatterjee, 2019). However, male abuse is also a problem, and if people do not say about it aloud, it does not mean that it should be ignored. Many 13-15-year-old students are physically forced to have sexual intercourse even if they demonstrate their evident unwillingness. In the majority of cases, victims admit that these cases of violence happen to them with someone they know.
The prevalence of teen dating violence also depends on the type of abuse. In addition to physical and sexual violence (that has already been discussed), about 56% of reported cases in the United States are cyber dating abuse (Murray & Azzinaro, 2019). On the one hand, young people want to use social media services to build new relationships, share their personal information, and enhance discussions of various events that can be interesting to teenagers. On the other hand, millions of teens are embarrassed because of accidentally or intentionally disclose personal information, which is also a result of teen dating abuse.
Effects
Damage caused by teen dating violence is hard to predict and investigate to its full extent. According to Cohen et al. (2018), experiencing violence as a child could result in using the same violent methods in regular activities and expressing personal interests and needs. It means that sexual or emotional abuse may be promoted for solving problems or dominating other people (Cohen et al., 2018). Even if a young man or woman does not report about violent attitudes officially, the outcomes of such behaviors influence their future considerably. Changes include unfair treatment with peers, social isolation, and intention or unintentional harm to family members. Being a victim of dating violence once makes a person able to use the same methods, threats, and manipulations to another individual. As a result, the circle of violence is hard to break or change even by the most influential organizations.
In addition, violent relationships may have severe consequences on a person’s well-being and development. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) reports that teen dating violence victims frequently experience depression, anxiety, and alcohol, drug, or tobacco abuse. Not all teenagers find it necessary to report on dating violence because of the lack of support or knowledge about its signs. They try to find answers and solutions independently, promoting wrong attitudes to people and the world around them. They feel hopeless or empty because of the impossibility of trusting their peers, which enhances depression and anxiety signs and the development of other mental health disorders (Wincentak et al., 2017). They have an urge for a drug or alcohol to block memories and facilitate physical or emotional pain, which makes them dependent on substances. Finally, teenagers start lying and hiding, which fosters social isolation, rejection, and antisocial behaviors (Debnam et al., 2016). Young people are not able to solve their problems, but start lagging behind other students and questioning their possibilities.
Finally, dating violence is dangerous because of the promotion of suicidal thoughts among teens. According to Debnam et al. (2016), Wincentak et al. (2017), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), suicidal ideation is a possible outcome of teen dating violence victimization. Instead of searching for help, young boys and girls cannot get rid of bad memories and possible attitudes and begin thinking about suicide as the only available option. The decision to end a life does not have specific time frames: a person could make it right after the incident or plan it several days or even months. About 60% of dating violence victims is more likely to attempt suicide than non-victimized teenagers (Murray & Azzinaro, 2019). These numbers cannot be ignored, and more attention should be paid not only to professional support centers but also to the prevention of teen dating violence as a global public problem.
Prevention
The promotion of healthy and respectful relationships is one of the main goals the governments of all countries try to fulfill. There are many ways of how to support the population, and the reduction of various forms of violence has to be taken into consideration. Teen dating violence is a problem that touches upon the behaviors of a particular group of people, teenagers. They go on dates, meet new people, and make themselves exposed to unpredictable threats, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. To prevent dating violence among teenagers, multiple programs are developed, following multiple purposes. First, it is necessary to observe and analyze warning signs, either directly or indirectly. For example, governmental programs ask people who are not victims to look if someone asks for help or depressed. Such insignificant contributions may result in a significant reduction of violent behaviors in society. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020), teen dating violence is still preventable. Therefore, the role of every member of society is critical.
People’s awareness is another important aspect of many prevention programs. Cohen et al. (2018) say that screening initiatives for previous cases are obligatory because this initiative help to understand the nature of teen dating violence, study human behaviors and decisions, and indicate future risks. In other words, the more people know about dating violence, the more chances they have to prevent it in the future. However, the worth of knowledge also lies in the possibility to inform people about potential threats. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2020) develops a program “Dating Matters”, in terms of which 11-14-year-old participants learn how to reinforce healthy relationships and stop violence on dates or in families. Additionally, young people learn how to behave, how to organize meetings, and what questions should be asked first.
Identification, education, communication are the major elements of prevention of teen dating violence. To promote safety, school psychologists are interested in the creation of school-based violence prevention programs where students are informed and trained in accordance with their personal characteristics and abilities (Debnam et al., 2016). In the United States, the most well-known attempts that have already been made include such programs as “Safe Dates”, “In Touch with Teens”, and “Expect Respect School Project” (Debnam et al., 2016). “In Touch with Teens” focuses on the relationships between parents and children to underline the importance of a violence-free environment and the use of media to promote fast recovery. “Safe Dates” aims at changing teen norms that are imposed on dating and the improvement of problem-solving activities. “Expect Respect School Project” is an initiative to reduce the number of chronic mental health problems that are caused by student aggression and conflicts. The necessity to prevent abuse among teenagers consists of several complex tasks, and the participants of such programs receive professional help first and then understand how to support other victims, proving the worth of cooperation in promoting a safe school environment.
Along with education sessions, communication, and discussion of the burning problems, prevention programs include the distribution of brochures and other illustrative material. This activity helps to inform all people without categorizing them according to their status, problems, or other distinctive features. All people have equal access to information and read it when they find it necessary. Murray and Azzinaro (2019) underline the effectiveness of posters and cards throughout the emergency departments and the importance of regular screening for teen dating violence signs, even if no direct complaints are reported. If teenagers need help and want to speak aloud, they are welcome to address special helpline services and learn what they can use to protect themselves and improve their health being at the moment.
Conclusion
In general, this investigation proves that teen dating violence remains a serious issue for consideration in modern America. Millions of teenagers have already suffered from violent behaviors of their peers; however, an exact number of victims is hard to guess because not all young people want to report on abuse officially. Violence has different forms, including physical innocent kicking or sexual intercourse without consent. Despite the intentions of parents and the government to protect young people, their behaviors are hard to control, and teen dating violence prevalence grows. Teen’s fears to share their problems and unhealthy experiences with friends or family members exist, and specially trained people and organizations aim at helping and supporting society. The identification of signs, learning the outcomes, and protection are the steps any prevention program is ready to take. Teen dating violence is a threat for American teenagers, but, today, it is preventable, and this chance cannot be neglected.
References
The California Department of Public Health. (2020). Teen dating violence.CDPH. Web.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Preventing teen dating violence. CDC. Web.
Chatterjee, R. (2019). Teen dating violence can lead to homicide – And girls are the most common victims.NPR. Web.
Cohen, J. R., Shorey, R. C., Menon, S. V., & Temple, J. R. (2018). Predicting teen dating violence perpetration.Pediatrics, 141(4). Web.
Debnam, K. J., Waasdorp, T. E., & Bradshaw, C. P. (2016). Examining the contemporaneous occurrence of bullying and teen dating violence victimization. School Psychology Quarterly, 31(1), 76-90. Web.
Murray, A., & Azzinaro, I. (2019). Teen dating violence: Old disease in a new world. Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine, 20(1), 25-37. Web.
The Office on Women’s Health. (2018). Dating violence and abuse.Womenshealth.gov. Web.
Wincentak, K., Connolly, J., & Card, N. (2017). Teen dating violence: A meta-analytic review of prevalence rates. Psychology of Violence, 7(2), 224-241. Web.