The Tragedy of Domestic Violence :: Violence Against Women Essays

Domestic Violence towards women is a problem that is often overlooked by Society. Violence is defined by the Websters Dictionary (p.755)as 1. Physical force employed so as to damage or injure. 2. As aninstance of violent action. If this is the case than why is it that somany women atomic number 18 beaten by loved ones each year and little or nothing isdone to correct this violent and hostile situation? In this news report I willattempt to answer this question along will a slue of others which placewomen in these war zones each day.The battered women is project by most people as a small, fragile,haggard person who might once have been pretty. She has several smallchildren, no job skills, and is economically dependent on her husband. Itis frequently assumed that she is poor andfrom a minority group. She is accustomed to living in violence, and herfearfulness and passivity are emphasized above all. Although some batteredwomen do fit this description, research proves it to be false stereotype.(Walker p.18) In fact most batte red women have highlylucrative jobs such as doctors or lawyers, Corporation executives andnurses. Most are heavy set women whose assets are controlled by therehusbands and cannot defend themselves physically. Battered women are foundin all racial, rel igious and ethical backgrounds as well as age groupsand educational levels. Who are battered women? If you are a women,there is a 50 part chance it could be you(Walker p.19)Statistical data on battered women is difficult to find becausemost records are buried in medical records, domestic folie calls tothe police or the records of social service agencies. During my researchI found that characteristics in numerous c ategories for both the battererand battered were the same. Here is a key of those categories that werethe same or in a similar fashion the same for both individuals. Commonlyshared characteristics between Battered and Batterer. 1. Has lowself-esteem. 2. Believes all myths near battering relationships. 3. Is atraditionalist about the home, strongly believes in family unity and hisor her roles in the family unit. As with the women all racial, religious,educational levels equally represent the men, cultures socioeconomicgroups. Batterers typically deny that they have a problem, although theyare aware of it and they become enraged if their women should reveal t hetrue situation. (Walker p.36)Researchers Eisenberg and Micklow found 90 part of thebatterers in their study had been in the military. Twenty five percentreceived dishonorable discharges.