Irene’s Story the Case of Adult Abuse

¶ … Irene

Elder abuse is the common term that refers to the action that leads to the interruption of the healthy well being of an elderly person, or simply jeopardizing the chances of such an elderly person from enjoying full mental and physical health. Elder abuse is about what people do, as much as it is about what they do not do, to the elderly people within their care. Such people may be close and trusted family members and friends, or people in positions of responsibility. The problem of elder abuse is often viewed from various angles. The matter suffices as an economic, justice, social, health and even gender concern. The latter arises because women constitute the greater percentage of the elderly population across the globe. Therefore, the issue of elderly abuse must come at the fore of any plans in order to take care of the elderly. Indications show that if this matter is not prioritized, the incidence of abuse of the elderly people is likely to increase as the number of elderly people rise ( Alberta Council of Women's Shelters, 2011).This paper focuses on the social aspect of the problem, with specific attention to Irene's case.

The Social Issues that Arise from the Story of Irene

There are several reasons that lead to the abuse of elderly people within families. One of the reasons is the continued deterioration of respect for the elderly, in most societies. The fact that what happens within family set-ups is widely viewed as a private family affair does not help matters either.

In Irene's case, Brian is gross with his mother, Irene, for what he thinks is indifference by her, in allowing their father to abuse them in their formative years. Brian hits back at his mother by ignoring her and regarding her as insignificant. Brian has thus acquired the habit of yelling at his mother, and treating her more like a worker within the household (Irene's Journey: Examining the Issues of Domestic Violence in Later Life, 2015). These are tendencies he has picked from Norman. These sorts of incidences are indicative of society's failure to provide support and dignified life circumstances for elderly people. In fact, the current perception that what happens in families is always a private matter appears to aid elder abuse and facilitate scenarios in which such elderly people are kept locked up behind gates, in abusive environments.

Observers who may be privy to witnessing these incidents are likely to brush them aside, declaring that they are purely family quarrels, or that they may even be misinterpreting family conflicts and that they (conflicts) are best left to be solved by the family members.

The elderly people on their part are often embarrassed to voice their dissent for such happenings within their families and homesteads. Irene is a typical extrapolation of this scenario. She lost touch with all her friends who couldn't quite figure out why she stuck in there (Irene's Journey: Examining the Issues of Domestic Violence in Later Life, 2015).

Finally, another significant social matter that impacts the tendency for the elderly to fail to reveal abuse or break free from shackles of abuse by family members is self sustenance. In Irene's case, she is not used to fending for herself. She is afraid of what may become of her life, if she leaves her abusive sons and the circumstances within which she derives support; albeit abusive. The article reports that Irene didn't need to work while she stayed in the family relationship.

What Can be Inferred from the Cycle of Abuse

The cycle pointed out by Lenore Walker (1979) consists of four parts. However, Irene is experiencing one part of the four possible phases. The inter-generation abuse cycle emanating from Paul and Brian suffices in this regard.

The 4 Phase Cycle

Family conflicts, including marital disagreements, misunderstanding and fights over children are the main feeders of stress. Other possible causes include: economic strife, legal matters, unemployment, illnesses, or even catastrophes. In order to forestall violent attacks, victims of these circumstances may become compliant, nurturing and cooperative. They may resign to the abuse as fate. Sometimes, the victim may catalyze the abuse process so as to get over with it. This scenario is divorced from Irene's case because she has been abused throughout her life. Her abuse was not a culmination of building tension at any point. However, the element of victims becoming compliant and nurturing is true, because Irene thought all along, that one day she would be able to change Norman. She thought that she would extend her love to him until he would stop his anger fits.