Domestic violence: causes, effects, and intervention strategies

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE is common in the United States and other parts of the world. In most of these cases, wives are the victims and in some, children may also become targets. Whether perpetrated against wives or children, domestic violence is an ugly practice that must never find a legal, social or psychological justification. In cases of domestic violence, men would usually accuse their wives of straying. If straying had indeed been the cause of violence, divorce or couple therapy must be viewed as alternatives instead of resorting to violence. Ferguson argues that violence is initiated to maintain power and authority over the submissive partner. In the case of Lolotte Nodin, we cannot say with confidence who had been the more abusive of the two. If we read the witnesses' statement in favor of Mr. Nodin, we find that it was Mrs. Nodin who was the more dominant partner in the relationship since she was earning. Mr. Nodin's opponents however felt that Mrs. Nodin was the sole breadwinner in the family and her husband would beat her when she used her money to bring things for her children by her previous lovers.

In this case, one thing is certain: both sides were responsible to some extent for domestic violence. Mrs. Nodin's erratic behavior, her drinking habit, her infidelity and also her mistreatment of her husband may have contributed to violence. In the same vein, Mr. Nodin's inability to earn, his dependence on Mrs. Nodin's money and his bad behavior towards other children may have provoked Mrs. Nodin on many occasions to initiate physical abuse. Anna Clark argues that during 18th and 19th centuries, men often resorted to violence in English households when they saw their wives as a threat. She explains that most men would discourage their wives from earning since once they wore the 'breeches', they would become more critical of their husbands.

Ferguson wrongly assumes that the one who initiates violence must also be worthy of it. This is a way of saying that domestic violence can be justified as long as the partner who initiated has enough reasons to do so. In my opinion, domestic violence is always wrong and can never be justified. If one partner has transgressed or if one of them fails to earn or usually squanders money, then alternatives to violence must be sought. In our times, many alternatives are available including marriage counseling, couple therapy, intervention of family and friends and then of course divorce which should be seen as the last resort. To use violence in order to maintain authority is a sign of weakness and also indicates a weak, lopsided marriage. Marriage or any relationship for that matter must be based on two people's willingness to stay with each other. If one partner is abusive or the other is consistently altering his or her behavior to please a partner when there was nothing wrong with the behavior, then this indicates problems in the relationship. Such a relationship breeds violence. A relationship must be based on mutual love and respect. If two people are unable to build a positive relationship, they must seek ways to amicably end it or find ways to improve it instead of using violence to vent out their frustrations and disappointments.