Domestic Violence And Bullying Essay

Hertzog, Harpel & Rowley (2015) studied the perceptions of teens and members of their communities, on the difference between bullying and domestic violence. In their research of the existing literature, they found that despite the prevalence of domestic violence among teens, it has not been a pressing issue addressed by schools, whereas bullying has taken an impressive place in the media recently. Several studies have found bullying to be a precursor to domestic, and particularly sexual, violence in teens. Although there is not a universal distinction between bullying and domestic violence for young adults, most studies identify several of the same elements within each concept. Through comparison of several definitions, it became clear to Hertzog et al.,

This lack of connection between the two concepts can be especially dangerous when young teens begin dating. Attempts of one partner to control the other may viewed as acceptable, rather than a form of domestic violence. Hertzog et al., (2015), identify a few reasons why young teens do not see the connection between bullying and domestic violence. From a biological perspective, they acknowledge that younger students may have a limited capacity to think abstractly as a result of being in the concrete operations developmental stage. Before advancing to the next stage of development, perceptions were based solely in each student’s own experience, with little to no thought that another student might have different life experiences. Another perspective allows for the possibility that teens who are former or current victims of domestic violence may cling to the stigma and shame and hide the abuse from their friends and family (Hertzog et al.,, 2015). This could result in underreporting, much like in cases of adult domestic