The effects of Domestic Violence on Latino Children
Jorge Yeshayahu Gonzales-Lara
Sociologist, MA; CASAC-T
"Families under stress produce children under stress. If a spouse is being abused and there are children in the home, the children are affected by the abuse." (Ackerman and Pickering, 1989)
Domestic violence in the Latino community must be understood within the context occurs. A legacy of multiple oppression; some dating back to centuries, such as poverty, discrimination, racism, colonization, classism, and homophobia. Requires that domestic violence is not seen as a uni-dimensional phenomenon. This important social problem that requires research, policy, advocacy and services are implemented with an understanding of how to weave the social forces that underlie domestic violence in the family and Latino community. It is estimated that between 40 and 60% of men who abuse women also abuse children
Domestic violence affects all family members, especially children. Family violence creates a home environment where children live in constant fear. Children who witness family violence are affected in ways similar to children who are physically abused Family violence creates a home environment where children live in constant fear. Children who witness domestic violence are affected similarly to children who are abused physically, sexually and emotionally. Parents are often unable to establish links with raising children, unable to establish nurturing bonds and have a greater risk of abuse and neglect if they live in a violent home.
Recently studies show that more than 3 million children witness violence in their homes each year. Those who see and hear violence in the home suffer physically and emotionally. Families with children living in stress product of domestic violence and creates insecurity and live in constant fear that children are affected that extends throughout the home.
The abuser violates the space of a spouse physically and emotionally. Children witnesses of domestic violence and is reflected in their behavior as low self-esteem, violent games and develops self-defense mechanisms that internalize.
Statistics show that over 3 million children witness violence in their home each year. Those who see and hear violence in the home suffer shame, guilt, self blame, confusion about conflicting feelings toward parents, fear of abandonment, or expressing emotions, the unknown or personal injury.anger and depression, feelings of helplessness and powerlessness. In 2010, approximately 695,000 children were victims of maltreatment. Children in the age group of birth to 1 year had the highest rate of victimization at 20.6 per 1,000 children of the same age group in the national population. More than one-half of the child victims were girls 51.2% and 48.5 percent were boys; and nearly one-half of all victims were White (44.8%), 21.9 percent were African-American, and 21.4 percent were Latino.
• Control of family by one dominant member.
• Abuse of a parent.
• Isolation.
• Protecting the "family secret".
• Children react to their environment in different ways, and reactions can vary depending on the child's gender and age.
• Children exposed to family violence are more likely to develop social, emotional, psychological and or behavioral problems than those who are not. Recent research indicates that children who witness domestic violence show more anxiety, low self esteem, depression, anger and temperament problems than children who do not witness violence in the home. The trauma they experience can show up in emotional, behavioral, social and physical disturbances that effect their development and can continue into adulthood.
Emotional effects.
• Grief for family and personal losses.• Shame, guilt, and self blame.• Confusion about conflicting feelings toward parents.• Fear of abandonment, or expressing emotions, the unknown or personal injury.• Anger.• Depression and feelings of helplessness and powerlessness.• Embarrassment.• Behavioral• Acting out or withdrawing.• Aggressive or passive.• Refusing to go to school.• Care taking; acting as a parent substitute.• Lying to avoid confrontation.• Rigid defenses.• Excessive attention seeking.• Bedwetting and nightmares.• Out of control behavior.• Reduced intellectual competency.• Manipulation, dependency, mood swings.
• Stormy relationships.• Difficulty in trusting, especially adults.• Poor anger management and problem solving skills.• Excessive social involvement to avoid home.• Passivity with peers or bullying.• Engaged in exploitative relationships as perpetrator or victim.
Physical
• Somatic complaints, headaches and stomachaches.• Nervous, anxious, short attention span.• Tired and lethargic.• Frequently ill.• Poor personal hygiene.• Regression in development.• High risk play.• Self abuse
Abusers are very good at controlling and manipulating their victims. People who have been emotionally abused or battered are depressed, drained, scared, ashamed, and confused. They need help to get out, yet they’ve often been isolated from their family and friends. By picking up on the warning signs and offering support, you can help them escape an abusive situation and begin healing.
Update April 04, 2012.
Long Island, New York
Bibliography and References
- Red Flags for Abusive Relationships – Checklist of warning signs and red flags that you’re in an abusive relationship. (Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance)
- Symptoms of Emotional Abuse (for women) and Symptoms of Emotional Abuse (for men) – Guide to emotional abuse and the warning signs, including common characteristics of abusers. (Lilac Lane)
- What Does Love Got to Do With It? Why People Stay in Relationships with Angry People – Discusses codependency in abusive relationships, how to evaluate the health of your relationship, and tips for getting out. (Get Your Angries Out)
- Emotional Abuse – In-depth discussion of emotional abuse, including types of emotional abuse and signs of abusive, authority-based relationships. (EQI.org)
