Had any of the subjects answered affirmatively, that would have suggested specific follow-up questions to explore the issues raised.
6. Have any of your friends ever been the victim of stalking-type of behavior? If yes, through what medium (in person, by phone, via Internet, etc.)? Also, how many people do you know personally who have ever been victimized in this way?
S1 - Yes; four
S2 - Yes; two
S3 - Yes; four
Rational - This question provides a comparison to the subjects in the Claiborne study.
It also expands the anecdotal data to include three separate peer groups.
7. Have you ever before (today) discussed the issue of violence or abuse in relationships with your parents or other adults?
S1 - No
S2 - No
S3 - No Rational - This question provides an indication of whether or not subjects who are aware of violence and abuse issues in relationships among their peers seek advice or counseling from adults in that regard. It also corresponds to findings of the Claiborne study as to the perpetual ignorance of parents of this issue.
Synthesis:
The interviews confirmed the several elements of the publicized findings of the Claiborne study. Specifically, all three experienced an intimate relationship by the age of 14, with two of the three having a first experience by the age of 23; two out of the three interview subjects were personally aware of abusive relationships among their acquaintances; only one of the three had ever discussed the issue of relationship abuse with peers; all three were aware of multiple instances of stalker-type behavior experienced within their peer groups; and none of the interview subjects had ever discussed...
Miller, Ms. Randel, and Mr. Lynch all suggested that abusive behavior and violence are relatively widespread within teenage relationships. Likewise, that study and both CBS interview segments documented the alarming frequency with which modern media such as the Internet and cell phones have been misused by teens for abusive purposes or to harass or otherwise persecute other in their peer group.
All the resources consulted for this project characterize teenagers as extremely unlikely to solicit counseling or advice from adults on matters having to do with abuse in relationships. The interviews conducted with the three subjects also seems to suggest that teenagers generally do not discuss these issues among themselves, even when they are personally aware of an acquaintance who has been victimized. In that regard, only one of two subjects who indicated they were personally aware of an abusive situation within their peer respective groups had ever discussed the issue among peers.
Works Cited
Gerrig, R., Zimbardo, P. (2005)
Psychology and Life 18th edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Hsu, C. (2007) Family First: Abuse Is Not Love; Sep 27, 2007. Retrieved October 21, 2008 at http://wcbstv.com/parenttoparent/family.first.abuse.2.292513.html
This resource consists of a transcript of a television news interview conducted on Smith, T. (2008) "Horrors" Found in Tween, Teen Dating: Survey Uncovers Significant Levels of Physical, Verbal Abuse; Sex at Young Ages; Many Parents in the Dark; Jul 8, 2008. Retrieved October 21, 2008, at http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07//earlyshow/living/relationships/main4240192.shtml
