Chapter 14

1.) Chapter 14, “Family Abuse, Violence, and other Health Issues,” discusses:

· Intimate Partner Abuse and Violence

· Types of Intimate Partner Violence

· Physical abuse

· Sexual abuse

· Emotional abuse

· The Prevalence and Severity of Intimate Partner Violence

· Some Characteristics of Abusive and Violent Households

· Marital Rape

· The Cycle of Domestic Violence

· Why Do Women Stay?

· Negative self-concept and low self-esteem

· Belief that the abuser will change

· Economic hardship and homelessness

· Need for child support

· Shame or guilt

· Blaming themselves

· Fear

· The home becomes a prison

· Women Who Abuse Men

· Child Maltreatment

· What is Child Maltreatment?

· Physical Abuse

· Sexual Abuse

· Neglect

· Emotional Abuse

· Prevalence and Characteristics of Child Maltreatment

· Sexual Abuse and Incest

· Why Do Adults Abuse Children?

· How Abuse Affects Children

· Hidden Victims: Siblings and Adolescents

· Sibling Abuse

· Name calling and ridicule

· Degradation

· Intimidation

· Torturing or killing a pet

· Destroying personal possessions

· Adolescent Abuse

· Elder Abuse and Neglect

· What is Elder Abuse?

· A.k.a. elder mistreatment

· Includes: physical abuse, negligence (inadequate care), financial exploitation, psychological abuse, deprivation of basic necessities such as food and heat, isolation from family and friends, not administering needed medications

· Who Are the Victims?

· Age 65 and older

· Who Are the Abusers?

· 90% family members

· Why Do They Do It?

· Living arrangements

· Social isolation

· Alcohol abuse

· Impairment of the caregiver or the care recipient

· Dependency of the older person on caregiver

· Medical costs and financial stress

· Personality

· Violence Among Same-Sex Couples and Racial-Ethnic Groups

· Same-Sex Couples

· Racial-Ethnic Groups

· Explaining Family Abuse and Violence

· Patriarchy or Male Dominance Theory: men’s authority creates and condones domestic violence

· Social Learning Theory: we learn by observing others

· Resource Theory: men usually command greater financial, educational, and social resources than women do, so they have more power; men with the fewest resources are the most likely to resort to abuse

· Exchange Theory: both assailants and victims tolerate or engage in violent behavior because they believe that the benefits outweigh the costs

· Ecological Systems Theory: analyzes the relationships between individuals and larger systems such as the economy, education, state agencies, and the community

· Other Family Health Issues

· Substance Abuse

· Depression and Suicide

· Eating Disorders

· Combating Family Abuse and Violence

· Raising Awareness about Family Abuse and Violence

· Preventing Family Abuse and Violence

· Intervening in Family Abuse and Violence

2.) On page 388, the pictures of Connie Culp disturbed me. Her story was interesting and sad in many ways. First, how her husband could just blast her in the face with a shotgun is far beyond my understanding. Then, the fact that she survived it is remarkable. Also, the fact that her husband was only sentenced to prison for 7 years is ridiculous, it should’ve been more in my opinion.

3.) Which theories about abuse and violence do you believe plays more of a role than the others? Which theory plays the smallest role?