Domestic Violence in Lesbian Relationships Essay - 4770 Words

This paper is an attempt to examine domestic violence in lesbian relationships, and the modern response to it, in a social and historical context. I chose to examine domestic violence within lesbian relationships in an attempt to look at violence in relationships outside the context of male and female. I did this because the popular beliefs that men are abusers and women are abused made it difficult to discuss or consider what was actually occurring in these troubled relationships, and what each partner contributed to the dynamic. (Now, in 2011, those attitudes and beliefs have become imbedded into law and practice, particularly since the O.J. Simpson trial, and it is even more difficult to attempt a discussion on these issues. In an†¦show more content†¦One third of the worlds nations practiced torture between 1980 and 1986. It is estimated that world military expenditures in 1986 were $850 billion (Harpers Index Book). The top three countries in the world in per capita percentage of their population in prison in 1985, and in order, are the Soviet Union, South Africa and the U.S. In 1985, sixty-nine percent of the $2.1 billion federal antidrug budget went to law enforcement compared to 1% to drug education to reduce use (Harpers Index Book). The number of people in prison in the United States has more than doubled in the last 12 years. Do you feel safer on the street? Violence, and the portrayal of violence, is one of our chief forms of entertainment in the U.S. Sports, (where people suffer many injuries), violent television and the physical punishment of children are widely accepted and supported. The average American child has seen 16,000 murders portrayed on television by age 16. Eighty-three percent of American parents reported that they spank their children in 1985, though only forty percent said they consider spanking effective. There is a great deal of controversy regarding how much physical punishment school, juvenile detention, prison, etc., personnel should be allowed to administer. Physical punishment for law or rule breakers has strong support. The U.S. is one of the few industrialized countries in the world that has no universalShow MoreRelatedDomestic Violence Occurrences in Same Sex Relationships1346 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Domestic Violence Abstract In this paper, I have discussed domestic violence occurrence in same sex relationships. I have assessed the reasons and consequences of domestic violence in such homosexual partnerships. I have also provided a comparison of the findings with that in heterosexual relationships. In the end, I have given my opinion about what should be done to avoid this brutal crime. Domestic violence is initiated when the pattern of violent behaviors in an individual tries to controlRead MoreThe Occurrence of Domestic Violence in the Gay and Lesbian Communities1440 Words   |  6 PagesDomestic violence, also referred to as intimate partner violence, intimate partner abuse or domestic abuse, affects over one million people in the United States alone. It can be carried out in any number of ways including physically, emotionally, sexually, psychologically and/or financially. Its legal definition considers it to be â€Å"any assault, battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, or any criminal offense resulting in physically injury or death of one family member or household member by anotherRead More Rape and Intimate Partner Abuse1558 Words   |  7 PagesIn every 45 seconds, someone is sexually violated in the United States. Out of every 6 women, one has experienced an attempted rape or complete rape. Lesbians and bisexual women remain at increased risk of sexual victimization compared to heterosexual women. In order for a woman to determine the direction of her life, she must first determine her sexuality. Sexuality is a deep, integral part of any human’s life. This should not be a subject of coercion or debate. The society must recognize that aRead More Rape and Intimate Partner Abuse In The Lesbian Community Essay examples1577 Words   |  7 PagesIn every 45 seconds, someone is sexually violated in the United States. Out of every 6 women, one has experienced an attempted rape or complete rape. Lesbians and bisexual women remain at increased risk of sexual victimization compared to heterosexual women. In order for a woman to determine the direction of her life, she must first determine her sexuality. Sexuality is a deep, integral part of any human’s life. This should not be a subject of coercion or debate. The society must recognize that aRead MoreRecognizing Violence Within Homosexual Relationships Essay723 Words   |  3 Pages Domestic violence in relationships and marriages has been a long-standing problem in American society. A lot of people have not realized that it is not just a problem for heterosexual couples. Domestic violence in lesbian, gay, and bisexual relationships is just as prevalent. Lori B. Girshick, a Professor of sociology and womens studies at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina, states that we live in a society where sexual violence is defined only in terms of male penetration and intercourse(Griffin)Read MoreThe Rate And Effects Of Domestic Violence950 Words   |  4 PagesDomestic violence is happening everywhere and among intimate couples of all different locations, races, sexualities, and gender. There have been many studies that examine the rate and effects of domestic violence. It has been reported that 1 out of 3 women (40%) were beaten by their husbands in Middle Eastern countries. In Jordan there was a study done that found that nearly 1 out of 3 women were subjected to domestic violence during their marital life, but these rates lowered during pregnanciesRead MoreDomestic Violence in the United States1516 Words   |  7 PagesDomestic violence affects a large amount of relationships in the United States each year. As the times have changed, abuse has become less accepted as a normal occurrence, and society has begun working together to provide awareness towards violence in intimate partner relationships. â€Å"Problems of family violence are potentially the most destructive in our society† (Kurland 23). Domestic violence is a problem that begins in the home, and spreads to affect the world around it. Violence is present inRead MoreWomen, Men, And Society1195 Words   |  5 Pagesin Victorian times, the asexual commitment from a mother for her child was the definition of love. As you can see there were many different types of definitions of love. In today’s society norm definition of love is a longstanding heterosexual relationship between two committed lovers. Studies have been proven that women are more of the â€Å"experts† when it comes to love. But these have been more biased based. The difference between men and women when it comes to who are more experiences is actuallyRead MoreHow Common The Battering Of Men Who Had Sex With Other Men Essay918 Words   |  4 Pages(Paragraph 8). Most of the characteristics found in MSM were the same as those found in a heterosexual household of battered women. In detail, the â€Å"risk profile† characteristics shared are low income, unemployment, heavy substance abuse, long histories of violence in the family, and childhood sexual abuse. Furthermore, one of the things that I found interesting within this study was that the more education MSM’s had, the less likely they were to encounter any form of battering. The article also pointed outRead MoreDomestic Violence At Affordable Price Please Use Custom Research Paper1276 Words   |  6 PagesDomestic Violence Research Paper This sample domestic violence research paper is published for educational and informational purposes only. Free research papers, are not written by our writers, they are contributed by users, so we are not responsible for the content of this free sample paper. If you want to buy a high quality research paper on domestic violence at affordable price please use custom research paper writing services. This sample research paper on domestic violence features: 7200+