Couple violence is a complex issue. Provide some insight into this topic by discussing some causes of aggressive behaviors and by the role that culture plays in violence in relationships

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

An abusive relationship is one in which one partner begins acting in an aggressive manner towards the other. There is a continuum of behaviors that, from least to most serious, include verbal aggression, physical aggression, severe physical aggression, and finally murder. Sexual aggression is also problematic, and while the rates of sexual assault have declined in recent years, it is still a major issue to be addressed.

Several factors are related to one's likelihood of being victimized. They include being female, being Latina or African American, having more romantic partners, early onset of sexual activity, and being a victim of child abuse. Research also finds that college-aged women have higher rates of sexual victimization.

Violence and aggression is not limited to female victims, and this is a point that students should not fail to discuss. Each year it is estimated that 4.8 million women and 2.9 million men suffer some form of partner-related abuse and/or rape in the United States of America.

International data suggest that the rates of abuse, particularly against women, are higher in cultures where female purity, male dominance, and family honor are valued. Cultural traditions and patriarchal societies may promote abuse against women in such forms as sexual slavery, female genital mutilation, intimate partner violence, and honor killing.