Violent Behavior - Topic Overview

Anger and arguments are normal parts of healthy relationships. However, anger that leads to threats or violence, such as hitting or hurting, is not normal or healthy. Physical, verbal, or sexual abuse is not an acceptable part of any relationship.

Violent behavior is very damaging, both physically and emotionally. Violent behavior often begins with verbal threats or relatively minor incidents, but over time it can involve physical harm.

Domestic violence

Both men and women experience domestic violence (intimate partner violence). It is a common form of violent behavior and is a major problem in the United States. Each year an estimated 1.5 million women are physically or sexually abused by an intimate partner. Approximately 25% of women in the United States will experience partner violence at some time during their lives.

Children and violence

Violence is learned behavior, so it is especially important to help your children learn that violence is not a healthy way to resolve conflict. Living in a violent environment increases your child's chances of developing behavior problems, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, poor school achievement, and lowered expectations for the future.

Watching television and playing video games also increase your child's risk of exposure to violence. By the age of 18, it is estimated that the average child has witnessed more than 200,000 acts of violence on television alone. The media frequently portrays the use of violence as a justified means of resolving conflict. Children are easily influenced by watching TV and playing video games. They learn by observing, imitating, and incorporating behavior. Video games teach children about violence and how to use it in their lives. Children who are exposed to media violence are more aggressive, and this aggressiveness lasts for many years.

Violence causes more injury and death in children, teenagers, and young adults than infectious disease, cancer, or birth defects. Homicide, suicide, and violent injury are the leading causes of death in children. Violence related to guns is the leading cause of death of children and teenagers in the U.S. Approximately 3,500 teenagers are murdered every year, and another 150,000 are arrested for violent crimes.

Elder abuse

Elder abuse refers to any of several forms of maltreatment of an older person by a caregiver, family member, spouse, or friend. It can include:

Hitting, beating, pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping, kicking, pinching, and burning. The inappropriate use of medications or physical restraints, force-feeding, and physical punishment of any kind also are examples of physical abuse.
Forced sexual contact or sexual contact with a person who is not capable of giving consent. This includes unwanted touching and all types of sexual assault or battery, such as rape, sodomy, coerced nudity, and sexually explicit photography.
Emotional abuse, such as name-calling, insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation, and harassment.
Neglect, such as failing to provide an older person with food, clothing, personal shelter, or other essentials, such as medical care or medications.
Abandonment or desertion of an older person by the person who is physically or legally responsible for providing care.
Illegal or improper use of an older person's funds, property, or assets. This includes forging an older person's signature, stealing money or possessions, or tricking an older person into signing documents that transfer funds, property, or assets.
Review the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections to determine if and when you need to see a health professional.

WebMD Medical Reference from Health wise
Last Updated: April 27, 2005
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
© 1995-2006, Healthwise, Incorporated, P.O. Box 1989, Boise, ID 83701. All Rights Reserved.

Sourced By: TheSAMIGroup.com