Abuse in Teen Relationships

Abuse in Teen relationships

Violence and abuse in Teenage dating has become a real serious issue in American society, much research has been provided showing evidence that violence and abuse during adolescent and teen years can have a great deal of effects on the mental health of individuals and is major contributing factor to domestic violence later in adulthood. Current research also reveals that a large percentage of teenagers are experiencing some amounts of physical, sexual, and even emotional/mental abuse in their dating relationships. The significance in the number of individuals involved in these behaviors is really making a great deal of implications on the roles of counselors and specialists. However in order for counselors, specialists, and other individuals who are involved in the lives of those teenagers to able to identify the suffering from dating violence, is to first have an understanding of what is going on and what defines an abusive relationship. Dating violence is the threat or perception of an act of violent or abusive behavior by one member of an unmarried couple within the dating relationship.

This type of violence or abuse can happen in many different forms, but the three most common forms are: physical, emotional/mental, and sexual. The main purpose of this cycle is the exertion of power and control over the other partner in the relationship. In the cycle of abuse and violence the first phase is tension for example negative arguments and feelings between the couples, next is the phase of violence characterized with hitting, kicking, slapping, choking, use of verbal threats, use of objects or weapons and sexual abuse. And the last phase sets up the individuals for a continuation of the cycle is the honeym...

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...nsequences. Boys that are involved in these forms of relationships are more aggressive and develop anti- social characteristics for example theft and property damage. Teen dating violence in an emerging concern that needs in depth research and special services so people can be able to better understand its risk factors and consequences, and help make a better solution for it.

Teenagers and young adults with past experiences of trauma may not be able to handle stress in their later years, this is due to the fact that many of them may not have developed the necessary skills required to manage stress. This inability may lead to the adoption of potentially negative traits as a way of dealing with anxiety. However these behaviors may become destructive and disruptive not only in their personal lives, but also in their interactions in society.