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?