Chapter 14 blog

David Komorowski
Chapter 14 Blog

Summary: Within this chapter we look at the negative aspects of a family; abuse, violence, and other health issues. Types of intimate partner abuse are first gone over and include physical, sexual, and emotional. These all differ in severity and can cause numerous amounts of problems for the spouse including death. We then look at some characteristics of abusive and violent households. These include age, race/ethnicity, social class, etc. Across all races women are said to be the more likely targets of IPV (Intimate Partner Violence). Marital rape is then discussed and we then go into the cycle of domestic violence which has three phases; tension building, the acute battering incident, and the calm or “Honeymoon Phase”. After all of the abuse one may question why a woman would stay which is what is gone over next. Some reasons include—belief that the abuser will change, negative self-concept, economic hardship and homelessness. We then turn away from the female of the households and turn to the potential children who could receive maltreatment. Types of maltreatment include—neglect (language/ stimulation), sexual abuse, emotional abuse, etc. Prevalence and characteristics are then discussed about child maltreatment. Characteristics include the victims, perpetrators, and fatalities. Another type of abuse is then discussed which are sexual abuse and incest. Reasons adults would abuse children include substance abuse, stress, poverty, partner abuse, divorce, and a combination some of them. The affects that abuse can have on children include early sexual activity, emotional and eating disorders. Sibling abuse is then discussed which can include name calling, degradation, intimidation, torturing and killing a pet, etc. Adolescent abuse is then spoken about which is similar to child abuse but the children are teens or older. Elder abuse and neglect is also taken a look at. The sandwich generation is spoken about in which people in their 40’s to 60’s have to take care of their children and their parents who lead to more stress and possible abuse of the elderly. Mistreatments include most of the others spoken about in the chapter. Violence amongst same-sex couples and racial-ethnic couples is then looked at. Theories are then discussed when talking about family violence which includes Social Learning Theory, Resource Theory, Exchange Theory, etc. Other family health issues are spoken about to finish up the chapter which include depression, suicide, anorexia, bulimia.

What I learned: In looking at the theories gone over in this chapter I realized that even though I have come across plenty of theories that explain plenty of things that there is always more to be learned. Ecological systems theory is a good example. I was unaware that there was a theory in which the larger picture (macro factors) can be looked at to see what impacts the family itself (micro factors). I believe it to be very interesting but also very hard to make any solid evidence of any kind. I say this because in using theory one would look at drug use or violence in the family and see how macro level factors influence it such as TV shows or public constructions that a family member might frequent.

What could’ve been better?
Not necessarily something needs to be better in the chapter but I think the concepts that we spoke about in class about this chapter is a little odd to me. I say this because we talked about when husbands possibly rape their wives (spousal or marital rape) that a large amount of states don’t prosecute or pursue potential cases because they don’t recognize it as rape. I’m not sure why this should ever be the case. I believe if this really is the case that improvements should be made within the system or the state laws.