Gender-based violence in young couples: data and analysis

Adolescents also perpetrate gender-based violence. We explain this social phenomenon.

When we talk about male violencewe get the idea that this type of violence exists, but that it only affects one sector of the population.

What exactly is gender violence?

The existing myths about it make us imagine that this type of violence occurs sporadically, isolated events in time, and in many cases motivated because the woman shows a provocative behavior that the man must control, or in other cases, the myth victimizes the woman even more by asserting that "women who put up with being beaten for so long is because they want to".

But, above all, one of the most established myths is the one that that male violence exists only in socially disadvantaged sectors of society. and in families with scarce economic resources.

Gender-based violence in adolescents

What would happen if we discovered that this is not the reality when we talk about male violence?

Current studies show that the sector of the population most affected by male violence is the adolescent.. According to the 2015 Spanish macro-survey on violence against women, 21% of women under 25 who have had a partner have been victims of gender violence. Likewise, a study conducted by González and Santana in 2001, reports that 7.5 of boys and 7.1 of girls recognize that they have hit or pushed their partner on one or more occasions (Samaniego and Freixas, 2010). These figures are alarming and make us wonder what causes this violence and what factors can be considered risk factors when suffering it.

The reality is that traditional gender ideals still persist in our society.. Boys are endowed with a certain superiority, and it is taken for granted that they are born leaders, strong and without weaknesses, while girls, on the other hand, should be desirably docile, submissive and easily manipulated. These gender stereotypes are at the root of this type of violence, according to studies, despite the fact that we take it for granted that they already belong to the past.

Risk factors

The risk factors associated with the aggressor in the phenomenon of "dating violence", the name given to this phenomenon, refer to the modeling processes adopted in childhood, as is the case of minors exposed to violence within the family environment, who are more likely to reproduce such behaviors in their relationships, or those minors who are immersed in a context in which violence is the main tool for resolving interpersonal conflicts.

Prince and Arias also point to two opposing personality profiles: on the one hand, the adolescent with high self-esteem and low sense of control over his life, who uses violence to feel more in control, and on the other hand, the adolescent with low self-esteem and low control who is violent as a way of expressing his frustration (González and Santana, 2010).

Risk factors for victims

On the other hand, the risk factors considered by the authors in relation to suffering such violence are feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem, early onset of sexual relations, risky sexual relations, the need for control and the idea of romantic love.The risk factors considered by the authors in relation to suffering such violence are feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem, early initiation of sexual relations, risky sexual relations, the need for control and the idea of romantic love.

The burden of certain conceptions of love

The idea of romantic love, "the love that can do anything", is instilled in girls almost from birth, with the idea that they need to have a partner to feel truly fulfilled. A study by Barrón and Martínez-Iñigo in 1999 already pointed to the differences in socialization between boys and girls.s. Girls are taught to tolerate the adversities that affect their relationships, to minimize problems, to put up with them, and to believe that they are the best they can be.They are taught to tolerate the adversities that affect their relationships, to minimize problems, to put up with them and to believe that they are capable of changing their partners, something that does not happen in the case of boys, who are taught to be independent.

The main problem with violence in adolescent couples lies in the fact that the aggressions take place at very early ages. In many cases, this violence is unleashed as early as the first relationship, which means that the victim does not have the experience and information to adequatelyThis means that the victim does not have the experience and information to adequately assess the situation she is experiencing and, therefore, cannot realize what is happening and what the consequences will be (González and Santana, 2010).

Moreover, as in the case of male violence, mistreatment can range from verbal and emotional abuse to sexual aggression and even murder.Therefore, we are faced with a phenomenon that considerably affects the physical and mental health of any person, regardless of age, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.

• Learn more: "The 30 signs of psychological abuse in a relationship".

Bibliographical references:

• Baquero, J. M. (2015). Adolescentes machistas: la cruda herencia del patriarcado. Eldiario.es. http:Bibliographical references:
• Baquero, J. M. (2015). Adolescentes machistas: la cruda herencia del patriarcado. Eldiario.es. http:Bibliographical references:
• Baquero, J. M. (2015). Adolescentes machistas: la cruda herencia del patriarcado. Eldiario.es. http://www.eldiario.es/andalucia/Adolescentes-machistas-cruda-herencia-patriarcado_0_449355873.html
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