Domestic violence and its effects on children

When violent episodes occur in the family environment, children's health suffers.

In the previous article, we analyzed bullying from the mimetic theory. We were able to identify school bullying as part of a circle of violence arising from the mimetic phenomenon. mimetic phenomenon in which we are immersed, which explains a myriad of human behaviors.

Now, based on René Girard's mimetic theory, human desires are conceived as impulses or motivations whose root does not arise internally, but are essentially derived, that is, their nature is external to the desiring subject.

Violence in the family environment: causes and effects

To exemplify the above we can briefly mention the situations of conflict in mythical stories, such as that of the foundation of Rome (the struggle between Romulus and Remus) or that of the Genesis (the deadly rivalry between Cain and Abel), where we can find that competitiveness not so much to get what the other has, but to become the other, to usurp his identity, in which we see an autonomy and dominion that one lacks (let us call it the 'desire to be other').

It is in this process of appropriation that comes into play this desire to subjugate, to dominate or even to destroyactions that are reproduced in all social spheres.

The drive to dominate: a psychoanalytic approach to the phenomenon of violence

Following this line of thought, we can see that if education is the reflection of society and vice versa, the problem of school violence is a Cancer that afflicts not only educational actors, but society as a whole. Having already analyzed the negative behaviors that characterize bullying, let us take a step back to have a panoramic view that allows us to study another of the components that make up this conflict. Looking beyond the school, we find the family, the fundamental nucleus of society.. It is the elementary support, the basis of the social structure, which refers to the systematic conformation of correlation between individuals directly and indirectly linked within a society.

In Mexico, there is a popular saying that refers to this last point: education is suckled with milkmeaning that the development of people's intellectual and moral capacities begins at home, and while this is true for better or worse, it is also a condemnation. But what are our children suckling at home?

Most research studies the effects of domestic violence on children. domestic violenceHowever, the study does not cover all aspects and dimensions, since it focuses mainly on the aggressions that are directly directed towards minors along the lines of the father/mother-son/daughter relationship. However, analyzing the relationship between the different forms of aggression, abuse or neglect in families could reveal relevant data for the study of domestic violence and its consequences. Thus, according to research conducted by the Department of Psychology at the University of Arizona, supported by the National Center of Child Abuse and Neglect, children who witness spousal/familial violence (whether seen or heard) suffer as much as those who are direct victims of violence.The child who lives in a family environment is a victim of domestic violence, given that the consequences are the same.

The child living in a violent family environment

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, violence among children and adolescents tends to develop mainly in an environment where the child is in particularly stressful conditions and situations, especially those related to the family. Some examples include single parenthood, the breakdown or instability of a marriage, parental unemployment, which in turn leads to low family income, as well as different aspects of parenting that can contribute to violent behavior among children.

Parenting is a complex task, no one is born knowing how to be a parent and this can manifest itself through inappropriate control (lack of supervision, authority and responsibility for children), very strict discipline (laxity and disciplinary inconsistency), dissension between parents, rejection of the child and limited participation and/or lack of interest in the child's activities, lack of communication and inconsistency in parental role models.

The psychological effects of domestic violence on children

Therefore, violence being an accumulation of uncertainty and frustrations that the child is unable to locate among his capabilities (social behavior patterns) the socially adequate and necessary means to cope with, will seek to reduce the tension through crisis behaviors, demonstrating different mental and emotional imbalances. in their behavior such as distractibility, low self-esteem, sleep disturbances, guilt and aggression against peers, family members and other people's property.

Today, children are exposed to endemic violence from an earlier age compared to a few decades ago. According to WHO world statistics, in 2011 alone there were 250,000 homicides among young people between the ages of 10 and 29 years..

With regard to sexual violence, an international study reports that between 3 and 24 % of women had their first sexual experience under compulsion. Finally, a study conducted in 40 countries shows that exposure to violence and bullying affects both boys (8.6-45.2 %) and girls (4.8-45.8 %), not to mention that 15 % of children between the 1st and 8th grades revealed that they had been bullied or harassed "more than once or twice" during the six weeks prior to the survey.

While it is true that recommendations are already being implemented by various agencies and programs at the international level and within each nation, it is necessary to emphasize the need to address the issue of bullying and harassment, it is necessary to emphasize the importance of eradicating violence from within the home..