Works Cited

Videos: 

"Children Suffering in Silence the Pain of Domestic Violence." KXLY 4. abc: Web. 21 Nov 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh5fzzn_0NU>.

Domestic Violence Music Video. Music Tribute Video, 2009. Web. 21 Nov 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsxSIaHdbwM>.

Research Memo #3

Domestic Violence Music Video



Domestic Violence News Cast

            Adolescents who are exposed to domestic violence can later face challenges throughout various points in life. The following videos were specifically chosen to provide more information on the following research question why do adolescents have such contrasting behavior when exposed to domestic violence? Both videos show how difficult it is to endure this violence and the difficulty of overcoming these experiences. There are various reasons as to why children have a contrasting behavior, but there is one in particular the truly impacts the demeanor of these children. The most influential thing that influences a child’s behavior is the fact that they encounter violence in their homes various times.

Overall this is music video that is dedicated to all domestic violence victims that also brings awareness about this issue. The first portion of the video contains a picture that states, “if there’s violence in the home, the kids get the picture” this quote describes how the children who are exposed to the violence are truly influenced from it. Throughout the video children are shown witnessing the violence between their parents various times. It is evident that adolescents have some sort of influence from witnessing so much violence. One part that supports the previous statement is an article or magazine page in the video that is about what children learn from domestic violence with a photograph of a child that looks terrified which demonstrates how the child can be influenced. Towards the end statistics are shown that states, “Every year, 3-4 million children witness domestic violence in their homes.” This is truly significant because it shows that so many children witness this and it is obvious that their behavior will be influenced in some manner. The video shows that from so many encounters to domestic violence the children will be influenced and there needs to be an end to this issue.

The entire story in the news cast is specifically for those who suffer in silence or in other words the children who are exposed to domestic violence. For example, one of the adolescents who witnessed domestic violence previously said that when she thinks back to those experiences and becomes really depressed. She begins to shut the world out and listens to music in an attempt to get rid of the feeling. Another one of the adolescents says she has nightmares when she becomes stressed or thinks too much about her father and what he did. On the other hand, she tries to focus on school assignments to get her mind off of the past. These adolescents who have experienced such violence have development different behaviors to get rid of remembering the past. The influence on the behavior of one of the daughters had become so bad that she was afraid of any male figure. During the newscast it is also stated that children who witness domestic violence are more likely to be involved with drugs, underachieve in school, and begin an abusive relationship of their own which shows that this definitely influences the behavior of adolescents through the years of their lives. Overall the newscast says that those exposed to domestic violence are significantly impacted from this experience which supports or in a way answers the essential question. 

Research Memo #2

How does exposure to domestic violence influence the behavior of adolescents? According to The Alabama Coalition against Domestic Violence, statistics show that over three million children witness violence in the home. With so many adolescents being exposed to violence, a large amount must get their behavior influenced by some means. Those exposed to domestic violence will have a negative influence on the conduct of the children. Furthermore, not only will the behavior of adolescents be affected, but other aspects of these children’s lives will also be influenced.

I conducted research to identify the influence on the behavior of adolescents when exposed to domestic violence. The articles were specifically chosen because they contained details or some information on how adolescents are affected from encounter to domestic violence. The first article gives a real life example to show the effects caused from experience with violence in the home. However, the second article provides facts and statistics to support the idea that the behavior of adolescent’s is influenced. The two articles may contrast the way the information is provided, but they still provide a concrete argument that the demeanor of these children is affected.

Initially, the first article shares the story of Legislator Hogan's step-granddaughter, Virginia, who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. It demonstrates that her children were truly affected because she was no longer there for them. For example, one of the author’s claims was “the violence and terror of that tragic night stays with them all.” This memory is so tragic that one of the daughters questioned, "PawPaw, I'm not going to have to sleep by the window am I? No one is going to be shooting through the window are they?" The children live with their grandfather, but he is not available to care for them full time because of his illness. It is evident that the children’s lives were impacted from this dramatic occurrence.

The second article is about the effects of domestic violence on children created by the UNICEF organization. This specific article was supportive because it states “children who live with and are aware of violence in the home face many challenges and risks that can last throughout their lives.” One of the risks that these children may face is the possibility of abuse against them because of the link between domestic violence and child abuse. These children may also acquire various problems because this exposure can affect the development of the child’s brain. For example, the idea that the children can develop behavioral and emotional problems which may even cause the tendency of not doing well in school was also said in the article. Domestic violence can continue to affect the child because they can later become victims or abusers themselves. Some even feel encouraged because it seemed “alright” since he or she grew up around that type of environment.

In conclusion, the two articles truly support the idea that the behavior of adolescents is affected from experience with domestic violence. The fact that even other aspects of children’s lives are affected from domestic violence was also supported. Not only is their behavior influenced, but the likelihood of them being abused and how well that child does in school is also impacted. Evidently, those who are exposed to domestic violence do face many challenges throughout the rest of their lives. For the following research memo I will determine which of the two influences adolescents’ behavior more, physical or verbal abuse?

Preliminary Links and Descriptions

http://www.acadv.org/stories.html

This is a newsletter reprinted from the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence. It shares the story of Legislator Hogan's step-granddaughter who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. This is helpful because it demonstrates that her children were truly affected because she was no longer there for them.

http://www.unicef.org/protection/files/BehindClosedDoors.pdf

This article is about the effects of domestic violence on children created by Unicef organization. This includes varied information which included what children need, unspoken problems, understanding the extent of the problem, what policy makers must do, and most importantly key findings. This specific article is helpful because it is said that children who are exposed to domestic violence face a numerous amounts of challenges throughout their lives.

http://www.aaets.org/arts/art8.htm

This article by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress gives a detailed overview of domestic violence and its affects. It mainly states the life-threatening effects of those who encounter it. This helps because it shows that physical, sexual, psychological, property, and pet abuse all result in negative effects.

http://cdf.childrensdefense.org/site/DocServer/children-who-witness-domestic-violence-ohio.pdf?docID=9961

This extended article by the Children Defense Organization provides information about understanding the effects, children who witness domestic violence, the problem, and programs. This would be helpful because it provides specific details on domestic violence as an issue and how various cases are unreported.

Research Memo #1

Hypothesis:

Should authorities be more focused on domestic violence? According to the Family Peace Center, every fifteen seconds a women is beaten. Authorities need to step in and put an end or at least make an attempt to prevent domestic violence. My hypothesis is adolescents all across the country get affected because there authorities are not doing enough about this issue. Therefore, respondents to my survey will most likely agree that domestic violence is a severe issue.

 

Context:

I have conducted research to identify whether adolescents are exposed to domestic violence or either indirectly exposed to it. Indirect exposure may include hearing about an individual who was or is directly involved with domestic violence or knowing someone who encountered domestic violence. The targeted audience in this case was high school students. This was my targeted audience because adolescents are usually the ones who encounter the most domestic violence. The results are most likely reliable because I was careful in choosing my respondents.

Results:

Survey Question	Age 14	Age 15	Age 16	Age 17	Age 18
Scale of 1-10 What do you rate domestic violence as an issue?	2/2  scale 5 and above	11/11 scale 5 and above	3/3 scale 7 and above	7/8 scaled 7 and above	1/1 ranked scale 10
Check all that apply Directly Involved Someone known inv. Heard of involvement	2/2 answered heard of	11/11  heard of involvement	2/3 someone known involved	7/8  heard of involvement	1/1  heard of involvement
Children are likely to be abused if mother was true/false?	2/2 answered true	10/11  answered true	2/3 answered true	4/8 answered true	1/1 answered true
Has domestic violence increased?	2/2 answered yes	10/11 answered yes	3/3 answered yes	5/8 answered yes	1/1 answered yes
Are authorities doing enough to prevent domestic violence?	2/2 answered no	9/11 answered no	2/3 answered no	7/8 answered no	1/1 answered yes

Data Analysis:

Adolescents all over the world are being affected by domestic violence because authorities are not doing enough to prevent or put an end to domestic violence.

·         Over 80% of the respondents said that no, authorities are not doing enough to prevent domestic violence. More than half of the respondents witnessed someone being abused by their partner. Every respondent either was directly involved with domestic violence, someone they knew was involved, or heard about someone being involved. 99% of those surveyed believed domestic violence was an issue above five on the scale of one to ten.

·         The age groups or amount of surveys for each individual age was not varied enough.

·         I believe my respondents answered that authorities are not doing enough because all of them had some type of encounter with domestic violence even if it meant only hearing about someone who was involved. In addition, they probably responded in this manner because more than half of them had already witnessed it.

Follow Up:

I will continue to research how adolescents are affect from exposure to domestic violence using other essential questions as a base. I will make an attempt to determine what adolescents would do if they had more options to let authorities when they encounter domestic violence.

Conclusion:

Adolescents believe authorities are not doing enough to prevent domestic violence. All of the respondents where either directly or indirectly exposed to domestic violence. Most did not or are unsure of how to help someone who is experiencing domestic violence. Most respondents also believed domestic violence has increased in the past years. Therefore, it is obvious that authorities are not stepping in to help with this issue.