Domestic Violence: Causes, Theories, and Policy Implications Report

This report provides an overview of domestic violence, defining it as any abusive, violent, or coercive behavior within a family or intimate relationship. It explores the various causes of domestic violence, including psychological factors, jealousy, social stress, power dynamics, and social learning. The report delves into theoretical explanations, specifically the social learning theory and feminist theory, to understand the issue. Additionally, it discusses domestic violence policies and the importance of gender equality in addressing the problem. The report references key academic sources to support its arguments and provides a comprehensive analysis of the social issue.

Running head: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Name of the student:
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Introduction:
Any violence, abusive coercive and forceful behaviour of one family member on the
other can be defined as domestic violence and it is experienced by 35% of the women worldwide
(UN women, 2018). Also, any form of violence in any relationship on one partner by another in
order to gain power and maintain control is called domestic violence. In this paper, the aim is to
understand the concept of domestic violence along with the causes of the issue. The article also
aim to give theoretical explanation and approaches that have been used by the scholars to
understand the social issue along with the policies that have resulted from this discussion and
explanation if in any way they are effective to eliminate the social issue.
Explanations or causes of the issue
Domestic violence has become the norm of an abuser. There are several reasons that
cause domestic violence, and they are even complex in nature. The researchers often debate on
the reasons that cause domestic violence. The major causes of domestic violence are
psychological causes, jealousy, social stress, power and control and social learning. Using
violence and abuse as a way of solving issues and problems is a present for a long time. By using
violence and abuse, a person creates fear in the person, thus gaining control. Approximately
87,000 women were intentionally killed in 2017 worldwide by either their partner of family
members (UN women, 2018). Domestic violence occurs when one partner feels to dominate
another person and control the other person. The need to control is associated with the feeling of
low self-esteem, jealousy, difficulties in regulating anger and other strong emotions.

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Theoretical explanation:
Domestic violence can be explained by two theories, the social learning theory and the
feminist theory. According to social learning theory, people learn by observing other people or
by observing their environment (Bandura, 2014). When there is positive reinforcement, it causes
the behaviour to repeat. Therefore, when an individual observes domestic violence in their
environment, it is possible the person will perform the same behaviour. The existing male
dominance in the society has normalized the fact that man needs to dominate the women and can
use violence in case it is required. Therefore, from the feminist perspective, the inequality among
women as a class is the reason domestic violence occurs (Pain, 2014).
Domestic violence policies:
In order to eliminate the issue of domestic violence entirely from society, the action
should be taken from the time a child is born. Only through better socialization that does not
encourage gender inequality will help in creating domestic violence-free society. There are
domestic violence laws that can be utilized by someone who seeks help. Each country has its
own national policy documents that punish the people using violence in the house. Also, the
child welfare of the country takes initiative in helping children who are in the environment of
domestic violence. Apart from the laws, there is a big battle of gender equality that would help to
eliminate the problem (Bugeja et al., 2015).

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References:
Bandura, A. (2014). Social cognitive theory of moral thought and action. In Handbook of moral
behavior and development(pp. 69-128). Psychology Press.
Bugeja, L., Dawson, M., McIntyre, S. J., & Walsh, C. (2015). Domestic/Family violence death
reviews: An international comparison. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 16(2), 179-187.
Pain, R. (2014). Everyday terrorism: Connecting domestic violence and global
terrorism. Progress in Human Geography, 38(4), 531-550.
UN women, Facts and figures: Ending violence against women. (2018). Retrieved from
http://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/ending-violence-against-women/facts-and-
figures