Brandy A. Simpson

Argosy University

Why Women Remain in Abusive Relationships and What are the Risks Factors Associated with Children Gaining

Exposure to Violence Through Parental Conflict?

What factors cause a woman to remain in an abusive relationship? If the abused woman has a child, what kind of effect does exposure to the violence have on the child? These are two questions that remain without a clear and defined answer although scientists have recently become interested in the widespread cases of wife abuse, trying to find a commonality on why this behavior is accepted by so many women.

Does race play a role?

Does the women’s age play a role?

Does culture play a role?

Does the existence and number of children make a difference?

How does economic status impact a women’s decision?

What lead women to the decision to leave an abusive spouse?

Research suggests that women that have been in violent relationships in the past are more likely to leave a current violent relationship (Strube & Barbour, 1984).

Minority are more likely to leave abusive partners then Caucasian women because minority seem to have more stable support systems and higher levels of self esteem (Strube & Barbour, 1984).

A wife will leave her abusive partner when she can no longer believe her husband will change and can not continue to forgive his violence.

The less dependent the wife feels and the more resources she has available, the more likely she is to leave her husband (Gelles, 1976).

Other victims of domestic violence are the children that witness it

Defining and measuring children’s exposure to violence is key in the research of children living in violent homes.

Children exposed to violence often display apprehensive, aberrant, withdrawn, and nervous behavior (Osofsky et al, 2004).

Osofsky et al, (2004) states that the behaviors that exposure to violence leads to is dependent upon the age the child is when the trauma occurs, the child’s personality, and environment.

More research must be conducted on hoe exposure to violence, particularly domestic violence, affects children and what factors encourage children’s resilience.

It is possible for children to gain exposure to violence from the womb; a fetus can be affected by the mothers terrorized state (Holden, 2003).

Infants and toddlers who witness violence show signs of increases irritability, immature behavior, sleep disturbances, emotional distress, fear of being alone, and regression(Osofsky et al, 2004).

Preschool and school aged children exposed to violence are less likely to explore and play and show less motivation for exploring their environment (Osofsky et al, 2004).

School aged children who have witnessed some sort of violence have a hard time staying focused on school work because of thoughts regarding violence.

This research topic is very important as it not only provides a greater understanding of domestic violence and it’s impact on children but with greater knowledge of this subject more action can be taken to create preventative measures to decrease the incidence of domestic violence. As a result of exploring this topic more in the future, we will be able to develop more accurate theories as to why women remain in such relationships, thus bringing us closer to preventing more and more children from witnessing, being a victim of, and possibly even participating in violent and abusive behaviors and relationships.

In conclusion, the topic of why women remain in abusive relationships is the first question that has puzzled researchers for sometime but in addition to this question consideration must also be given to how exposure to domestic violence impacts the children that witness it. Women stay in abusive relationships for a variety of reasons, with the result that children involved become exposed to violence at an early age.

References

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children when their mothers are battered? Results from a four city

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Gelles, R., (1976). Abused wives: why do they stay. Journal of Marriage and the

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Journal of Marriage and Family, 53(2), 311-322. Retrieved on September 14, 2009 from ProQuest.

Holden, G. (2003). Children exposed to domestic violence and child abuse:

Terminology and taxonomy. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review6(3). Retrieved on September 18, 2009 from AcademicSearchComplete.

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police to help children exposed to violence. Journal of Community Psychology, 32(5), 593-606. Retrieved on September 19, 2009 from Academic Search Complete.

Strube, M., Barbour, L. (1984). Factors related to the decision to leave and abusive Relationship. Journal of Marriage and Family, 46(4), 837-843. Retrieved on September 19, 2009 from ProQuest.