Literature review on DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Uploaded by heronita on Mar 12, 2012
Abstract
The concept of domestic violence is not a new phenomenon in the contemporary world that we live in. Domestic violence is the term that is used to indicate the aggressive deeds perpetrated by one of the partners in an intimate association on the other with whom they share close attachment. In America alone, a projected number of two million females endure violence at the hands of aggressive males who use it as an instrument of manipulation and control. This essays aims at reviewing literature on the factors that lead to domestic violence. In addition to the factors causing domestic violence, the various theories on familial violence that have been put forth by scholars and experts will be analyzed. Due to the fact that this is an area of study that elicits very diverse but strong sentiments and opinions from academicians as well as lay people, a variety of literature exists that can be studied, analyzed and used to come up with informed. For the purposes of this essay, however, focus will be on literature published from the year 1997 to date. The literature that has been chosen for the purposes of this critique brings out clearly the different theories that have been used to explain domestic violence, and their viability in explaining the issue. The reasons why women tend to stay in abusive relationships are also looked into in detail. After an introduction of the topic, a thorough critique of chosen literature on domestic violence will be drafted. Exhaustion of the topic will lead to the presentation of a conclusive summary about the same followed by a list of the bibliography cited in the essay.
Literature Review
Cohen et al (1999) assert that domestic violence has increased at an alarming rate in the modern day. In America alone more than twenty thousand people lose their lives every year as a result of violent offences perpetrated against them. In fact, several credible experts have referred to domestic violence as the top most health concern for women. Despite the recent trend of violence being perpetrated on men by females, women still remain the main victims of domestic violence; the perpetrators are usually family members that the victim has a close relationship with such as husbands, fathers, boyfriends, brother, uncles and cousins. The contemporary outbreak of aggression by children in learning institutions coupled with frequent broadcasts in the media about unimaginable incidents of violence necessitate...