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 surprise employed so as to damage or injure. 2. As an type of violent action. If this is the case than why is it that somany women are beat by loved ones each year and little or zero isdone to correct this violent and hostile situation? In this root I ordainattempt to answer this question along will a slue of others which placewomen in these war zones each day.The batte reddened women is pictured by most people as a small, fragile, hard up 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 woeful andfrom a minority group. She is accustomed to living in violence, and herfearfulness and passivity are emphasized above all. Although some batteredwomen do summate this description, research proves it to be falsester eotype.(Walker p.18) In fact most batte red women have highlylucrative jobs such as doctors or lawyers, jackpot executives andnurses. Most are heavy set women whose assets are controlled by on that pointhusbands and cannot defend themselves physically. Battered women are bringin all racial, rel igious and respectable backgrounds as well as age groupsand educational levels. Who are battered women? If you are a women,there is a 50 percent opportunity it could be you(Walker p.19)Statistical data on battered women is difficult to go up becausemost records are buried in medical records, domestic frill 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 list of those categories that werethe same or in a similar mould the same for both individuals. Commonlyshared characteristics between Battered and Batterer. 1. Has paltryself-esteem. 2. Beli eves all myths about battering relationships. 3. Is atraditionalist about the home, powerfully 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 percent of thebatterers in their study had been in the military. Twenty five percentreceived dishonorable discharges.