essay on equal relationships are violence free

Abusers may monitor your phone, TAP HERE to more safely and securely browse DomesticShelters.org with a password protected app.

1. Select a discrete app icon.

Next step: Custom Icon Title

2. Change the title (optional).

Honoring Evan Stark: Women are Safe Only When they are Free and Equal

The late author and award-winning researcher's concept of coercive control dramatically changed the field of domestic violence.

• By Lisa Aronson Fontes, PhD
• Jun 10, 2024

Link copied!

I nearly yelped when Anne Flitcraft told me that her husband of 47 years, Evan Stark, had died. Evan Stark was my mentor, my friend and a guiding light in the field of domestic violence. He changed the way survivors think about their torment. And his ideas sparked legislation in the U.S. and around the world.

Personally, Evan illuminated a path for me to follow him into serving as an expert witness on issues of coercive control domestic abuse. Stark had a heart condition and ataxia and was 82 years old; his death should not have been a surprise. And yet! He added new chapters to his landmark book in 2023, Coercive Control: How Men Entrap Women in Personal Life . That same year, he published another groundbreaking book, Children of Coercive Control . How could he die in 2024? He was writing his memoir. He was going to show me a report. He died in the middle of a Zoom meeting with coercive control advocates in British Columbia. They say he was speaking lucidly and then just slumped over. That is the way to go, I guess, doing what you love. But he still had so much to teach, and our field still had much to learn from him.

Stark did not hold back his opinion in other areas, either. He criticized people in the field of domestic violence, including me. He said that we think too much about individuals and their feelings. He kept his eye on the broader picture. He focused on how systems of oppression reach into the lives of individual women, crushing them. He defined domestic abuse as a liberty crime. That is, domestic abuse is a crime because it infringes on victims’ human rights. The right to be with others. The right to speak up. The right to live free from fear. The right to control one’s own body. The right to resources such as money and transportation. 

Receive New Helpful Articles Weekly

Stark kept pointing us back to the ways in which coercive control is a crime against us all. When women spend their time and energy appeasing abusers, the world suffers. We all miss their skills and energy, as they must focus on survival. We do not benefit from the contributions they would make if they were free members of our communities. 

I harbor skepticism about some men in our field. Some (but not all) charge exorbitant speaker fees. Some exploit victim-survivors financially. Some get paid for webinars that the rest of us do for free. At least one relies on a coterie of volunteer survivors who support his business while he grabs the spotlight and the paycheck. Evan was not of that ilk. He raised others along with him. He struggled with charging survivors for his expert testimony. He was in it as a warrior for justice—not for fame or fortune.

Stark directly denounced sexism. I remember him on a stage in the U.K. at a 2019 conference on coercive control. He spoke vehemently about patriarchy. He shouted about women who were trapped by their abusers, their options limited by structural sexism. He cursed to make his points. He knew that as a white male professor, he could get away with calling out sexism and retain his credibility in a way that many others cannot. Thank you, Evan.

Stark became an activist and an advocate when young. He helped bring college classes outside university walls to low-income women in Minneapolis. He advocated for abortion rights before Roe v. Wade. He agitated in the movement against the war in Vietnam, which is how he met his future wife, Anne Flitcraft.

Flitcraft, a physician, studied one month’s records of all women admitted to the emergency room at Yale New Haven Hospital. She discovered that domestic violence was the number one cause of injury for women coming in for emergency care. Partner abuse was responsible for more injuries than car accidents, muggings and rapes combined. The physical harm perpetrated by partners was five times more common than thought at the time. This was revolutionary.

Stark and Flitcraft hid women in their home who were fleeing abuse. They co-founded one of the first shelters in the country. They moved state, national and international bodies to recognize and more effectively combat domestic violence. They helped shape the original Violence Against Women Act.

Flitcraft and Stark focused on the way that women are trapped with violent partners, and not simply hurt in separate incidents. This idea served as the kernel of what later became Stark’s stunningly original work on coercive control. He credited Flitcraft as co-creator of this idea, and they wrote their first book together in 1996.

Stark’s main contribution was to develop and popularize the concept of coercive control as the best way to describe the entrapment of domestic abuse victims. Previously, the term had been used to describe hostages and prisoners of war. 

Stark defined coercive control as a course of malevolent conduct over time in which a person uses violent and nonviolent means to secure family resources for personal gain.  The tactics include physical and sexual violence; threats, intimidation and stalking; isolation; humiliation and manipulation; micromanagement; and control over money and other basic necessities.  Abusers also manipulate, scapegoat and weaponize children to dominate their partners. The goal is not merely to hurt or frighten a partner—the goal is total domination. Stark asserted that coercive control more closely resembles terrorism than assault.

Stark named the extreme effects of coercive control on child and adult abuse victims. These can include physical pain and injury, fear, psychological vulnerability, and a condition of subordination and “entrapment" that can feel slave-like. Coercive control can make even strong, successful healthy individuals feel ‘crazy.’ 

Stark reminded us that coercive control can occur in any setting or relationship. However, most commonly, male partners use coercive control in relationships to exert power and control over women and children.

I did not know Stark or Flitcraft personally when I approached them in 2013. I had already co-authored a scholarly chapter in Spanish on coercive control . I sought Stark’s blessing to write an easily accessible book on coercive control . I confessed to him my struggle deciding how much to say about the fact that I was a survivor of coercive control. 

Evan looked at me silently at first, in that intent and kindly way he had. “Include as little or as much of it as you want, Lisa. What you have been through will inform every page.” I cannot imagine a more empowering response.

Rest in power, Evan Stark. 

Donate and change a life

Your support gives hope and help to victims of domestic violence every day.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of #YourVoice, an ongoing column published on this website by individual contributors in their own personal capacity and that involves the opinions, recollections and/or information provided by such contributors, and which does not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of this website.  

Related topics for you

My Experience With Coercive Control

A Comprehensive Guide to Domestic Violence Awareness Month

A Guide to Coercive Control

What Fuels Domestic Violence? Part 1: A Family Pattern

New Book for Attorneys, Judges on Protecting Survivors

Explore additional topics.

• Around the World
• Child Custody
• Childhood Domestic Violence
• Comprehensive Guides
• Diversity Matters
• Ending Domestic Violence
• Escaping Violence
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Identifying Abuse
• In the News
• Protection Orders
• Safety Planning
• Survivor Stories

Get Help Now

Find a domestic violence advocate who can help near you.

Receive news and helpful articles weekly

We'll never spam you or sell your information. If you have any questions about how we protect your data, check out our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• DomesticShelters.org Editorial Policy
• Advertise With DomesticShelters.org

Welcome to DomesticShelters.org, a trusted Bright Sky US partner. On DomesticShelters.org, you will find free domestic violence resources such as:

• Searchable directory of domestic violence programs and shelters in the United States and Canada
• Articles, videos, and helpful tools for people experiencing and working to end domestic violence
• Links to other helpful resources

The Bright Sky US website is still open on your browser in a separate tab, so you can return to the Bright Sky US website anytime.

• Teaching Resources
• Upcoming Events
• On-demand Events

Women's Power in the Struggle for Freedom and Equal Rights

• facebook sharing
• email sharing

“Democracy is a universally recognized ideal based on common values shared by people across the world, irrespective of cultural, political, social and economic differences. As recognized in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action , democracy is based on the freely expressed will of the people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems and their full participation in all aspects of their lives . Democracy, development, rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are interdependent and mutually reinforcing.” -  United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

The principles of democracy insist on, especially from a twenty-first century perspective, the inclusion of all people, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or ability. And yet governments around the world have a history of barring certain classes of people from being heard, seen, and fairly represented. Throughout history this has been especially true for women. And yet, despite repeated and ongoing attempts to sideline women in society, there has always been a consistent female force, fighting for freedom, equality, and democratic ideals.

For example, Chilean women who lived during Pinochet’s dictatorship were under the threat of constant danger, but they resisted by creating dissident art and forming the Moviemento Pro Emancipación de la Mujer. The Turkish coup of 1980 inspired a feminist movement that existed in open rebellion. They decried their loss of freedom and organized mass protests, including a 1987 march against gender-based violence. And here, in the United States of America, one of the oldest modern democracies in the world, it took a staggering 144 years for women in the US to be granted suffrage with the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920. It would take 45 more years for the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to be passed before Black women gained full access to the vote. But the right to vote was not just granted to women—they had to fight for it. 

There are endless examples of “the fairer sex” doing anything in their power to be seen as the equal sex—these examples are a testament to women's impact on society, government, and history. As we celebrate Women’s History Month in March, Facing History has curated a list of resources to showcase female upstanders who have fought for freedom, human rights, and promoted the principles of democracy, even under oppressive regimes and laws restricting them from representation.

The American Revolution and Challenging the Ideals of a Fledgling Democracy

Elizabeth freeman.

Entering the world as Mum Bett in the mid-sixteenth century, Elizabeth Freeman was born into slavery. As the white men around her—and notably her enslaver, Colonel Ashley—spoke of rights and freedoms amidst the creation of the Declaration of Independence and war with England, the idea of her own freedom took root. Freeman acquired legal representation in Massachusetts and sued for her right to be free. She became the first African American to win her freedom from the courts in Massachusetts, leading to abolition of slavery in that state. Learn more about Freeman’s life from the National Women’s History Museum and from the New-York Historical Society .

Judith Sargent Murray

Born into a wealthy family in 1751, Judith Sargent Murray was curious and intelligent, but was not permitted to attend school because of her gender. Undeterred, she turned to her family’s extensive library and became a self-taught intellectual and writer. Murray was a radical (at the time) advocate for white women’s rights, declaring that men and women held equal ability if given equal access to education. Murray penned her first essay, “On the Equality of the Sexes,” in 1770—it was finally published 20 years later.

This Facing History Reading , included in our US History Curriculum Collection , excerpts “On the Equality of the Sexes” and offers questions and exercises for deeper reflection and connection to the text. The entire essay can be found here .

Learn more about Murray’s life from the National Women’s History Museum .

Suffragettes and the Right to Vote

Frances ellen watkins harper.

In 1825 Frances Ellen Watkins Harper was born to free African American parents. Following the death of her parents, she was raised by her aunt and uncle, the latter of whom was an impassioned abolitionist. As a young adult she was mentored by her uncle’s friend William Still known as the “father of the Underground Railroad.” Harper then became a strong voice in the anti-slavery movement and a fierce supporter of women’s rights, publishing works based on these ideals and delivering speeches across the country.

This Facing History Reading excerpts one of her most famous speeches and offers connection questions for deeper learning.

Learn more about Harper’s life from  the National Women’s History Museum .

Emmeline Pankhurst

It is perhaps no surprise that Emmeline Pankhurst became among the most influential suffragists in Great Britain. Born in 1858, she was raised by parents committed to the full expansion of rights to women. She went on to found the Women’s Franchise League and later the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) whose famous slogan was “Deeds not Words.” Pankhurst threw her body and mind into the suffrage cause including participating in a hunger strike and being jailed on multiple occasions for her provocative protests.

This Facing History Handout on Women in Edwardian Society includes excerpts from Pankhurt’s “Freedom or Death” speech and offers a wide range of connection questions.

Learn more about Pankhurst’s life from the National Park Service .

The Pursuit for Civil Rights and Racial Equality

Anti-apartheid movement.

Apartheid is an Afrikaans word meaning “apartness.” South Africans abolished slavery in 1834, but the colonial influence on the country made segregation the de facto state. It wasn’t until the National Party, which ran on a platform of Afrikaner nationalism, won the 1948 South African election that segregation was codified by law. One way that Black women in South Africa pushed back on segregationist policies was to protest the limitations placed on the free movement of Black Africans in the country. The 1950s saw the formation of the Federation of South African Women. In 1956 this grassroots movement enjoined a crowd 20,000 strong to march to Pretoria. Facing History’s Confronting Apartheid Collection provides a comprehensive set of lessons to explore critical moments in South Africa's history. This collection includes the Reading:  Women Rise Up Against Apartheid and Change the Movement .

Mamie Till-Mobley

Mamie Carthan was born in Mississippi in 1921, but as a toddler she moved just outside of Chicago, Illinois with her parents. On July 25, 1941 she gave birth to her only child, Emmett Till. In the summer of 1955, when Emmett was 14, Mamie dropped her son off at the train station in Chicago to go visit her Uncle Moses’s farm in Mississippi and spend some time with family. He never came home. On August 28 Emmett was brutally murdered by a group of white men, led by the husband of a shopkeeper who was incensed that the young boy had allegedly whistled at his wife. The horrific death of her son, and the subsequent acquittal of Emmett’s murderers, resulted in Mamie Till-Mobley’s emergence as a leading activist for the civil rights movement.

Facing History’s “I Wanted the Whole World to See”: The Murder of Emmett Till Unit includes the following moving accounts of Mamie Till-Mobley as a mother and a civil rights pioneer. Reading: “ I Knew I Had to Give Him the Talk ” Lesson: " A Rallying Cry and a Cause "

Today’s Global Advocates for Human Rights

Anti-war sudanese organizers.

During the 30 year rule of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir, Sudanese women came out multiple times to protest the abhorrent treatment of women under his regime, often in open defiance of their family or the law. In 2019 it was estimated that two-thirds of Sudanese protesters were women. The military coup d'état in 2019 prompted the current devastating civil war between rival factions in Sudan, and again women face the biggest obstacles among the violence. Almost 90% of Sudanese people seeking refugee status in neighboring Chad are women. Learn more about the plight of Sudanese women today in these articles from Al Jazeera and the Norwegian Refugee Council . A look at the freedom and peace efforts of Sudanese women can be seen in these reports from the Christian Michelsen Institute and ReliefWeb .

Protest against the Islamic Republic of Iran's Regime

The 2022 arrest and death of Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Jhina Amini at the hands of Iran’s morality police has led to what some are calling a new Iranian Revolution. Since Amini’s death the people of Iran—including a flood of girls and women who have risked the same fate—have crowded the streets to demand an end to the brutal tactics and oppressive laws of the theocratic, dictatorial government. Even as the street protests have decreased, Iranian women continue to fight back through acts of civil disobedience including not following the strict veiling regulations or opting to go out publicly without a hijab altogether. The protest call of “Zan, Zendegi, Azadi” (Woman, Life, Freedom - shown above in Kurdish) continues to galvanize the movement, garnering support and participation from Iranians of all backgrounds in Iran and abroad. Learn more about the Iranian women mobilizing government resistance in these articles from Ms. and the Wilson Center . These quotes collected by Women’s Voices Now provide an inspirational glimpse at some of the individuals pushing for change.

You might also be interested in…

5 new books on women's history for 2022, 4 resources on refugee crises in global context, 10 virtual exhibitions on women's history, 6 new books on human rights, 5 new ya books on women's history, competing visions of black civic participation, remembering sidney poitier, 5 new ya books on black history and life, black athletes and civil rights: 6 upstanders to introduce to your students, eyes on the prize in the classroom: voices from the civil rights movement, ambassador samantha power: upstanding in a time of crisis, becoming an activist: a conversation with dolores huerta, donate now and together we'll build a better world, inspiration, insights, & ways to get involved.

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

• Home ›
• Reviews ›

The Equal Society: Essays in Theory and Practice

George Hull (ed.), The Equal Society: Essays in Theory and Practice , Rowman and Littlefield, 2015, 354pp., $100.00 (hbk), ISBN 9781498515719.

Reviewed by Valentin Beck, Freie Universität Berlin

What would be the central characteristics of a society in which its citizens are truly treated as equals? While egalitarian thinkers are united in their affirmation of the value of equality, they notoriously have -- for centuries -- disagreed about its interpretation. Egalitarianism now is a dominant current within Western moral and political philosophy, but it is also very broad and multifaceted. There is a wide range of mutually inconsistent egalitarian conceptions, ranging from libertarian and meritocratic positions to social liberal, communitarian and socialist ones. Therefore, the decisive question is not whether one should be an egalitarian, but what kind of egalitarian one should be, and how to interpret the central tenet of equal treatment more concretely in political theory and practice.

The anthology under review sheds light on this question. It offers a fascinatingly rich collection of original essays from a diverse group of scholars, some of whom have been shaping egalitarian discourse for decades. An introduction by George Hull and a helpful index complete a collection that will surely be indispensable for those wishing to take stock of recent developments in egalitarian thought. The book's more theoretical first part is dedicated to expansions and revisions of the concept of equality. It focuses on theoretical innovations concerning, among other topics, the interpretation of "social" or "relational" equality, and methodological issues such as the relation of non-ideal to ideal theory. The second part contains contributions on more applied issues, namely equality in higher education (Ann E. Cudd), the challenges to equality posed by the gendered division of labour (Gina Schouten), workplace democracy (Pierre-Yves Néron), modern constitutionalism (David Bilchitz) and historical redress claims (Daryl Glaser). The division of the book into two parts should not be misinterpreted, however. All of the contributions in one way or the other address the theoretical challenge of fleshing out the tenet of equal treatment. And while the articles in the second part have a more specific focus, those in the first also contain more concrete references to what the tenet of equal treatment implies in practice.

The volume does not take stock of the entire range of egalitarian theories, but rather assembles a variety of innovative positions and perspectives. At least six such areas receive in-depth treatment in the volume: first, the idea of "social" or "relational equality", as opposed to "distributional equality" (Jonathan Wolff, Miranda Fricker, Tom P. S. Angier, Lucy Allais, Néron and Daniel Putnam); second, the focus on race as a neglected category in egalitarian thinking (Charles W. Mills and Glaser); third, reflection on capabilities as metric of justice and wellbeing (Fricker, Bekka Williams and Hull); fourth, the importance of rectificatory justice for establishing more equal societies (Mills and Glaser); fifth, African-communitarianism as a distinct egalitarian current (Thaddeus Metz); and sixth, a negativist methodology, according to which specific inequalities or injustices should be the starting point of egalitarian theorizing, rather than the affirmation of an abstract ideal (particularly Wolff, Mills and Fricker). The treatment of this array of topics is generally very stimulating and deserves to be studied in detail. Without wishing to neglect any of these areas or essays in particular, I will limit my more extensive comments to the essays of Mills, Fricker and Wolff, in which several of the above-mentioned innovative concepts are concerned. At the end of this review, I will briefly reflect on why the present volume, which is up-to-date on an impressive number of issues, excludes any treatment of international and global economic inequalities as well as intergenerational environmental inequalities.

In "Racial Equality" Mills addresses race as a neglected category as well as the issues of methodological negativism (see Hull's introduction, p. 3, for this term) and corrective justice, which are interlinked. Mills has gained prominence by arguing that contemporary political philosophy, and particularly its contractualist strand, does not adequately address racial inequalities in liberal societies. In this essay, he argues that race is an essential category and shows the extent to which it has been neglected in what he calls "mainstream social justice theory, particularly Rawlsianism" (p. 44). Beyond this deconstructive concern, however, Mills also demonstrates how egalitarian theorizing can better incorporate issues of racial inequalities. He points to different positions on the metaphysics of race, ranging from simple eliminativism, according to which race does not exist in any sense, to variants of anti-eliminativism, including the constructivist variant to which Mills himself subscribes. Anti-eliminativist constructivism holds that races do not exist biologically, but as "socio-political constructs brought into existence through discriminatory socio-political processes" (p. 44).

From this angle, Mills analyses different forms of racism in "racist societies", which are distinguished from "overtly racist regimes" such as the U.S. under Jim Crow, Nazi Germany or South Africa under apartheid, because they lack features such as an "overtly racist ideology" or de jure discriminations (see p. 49). What matters is that racist societies still structurally advantage whites to a very significant extent, even in the absence of formal discrimination. Mills sets aside racism of the interpersonal kind, embodied in individual actions, since it is deemed "not relevant for racial inequality as a broad social phenomenon" (p. 45). Alternatively, one might argue that individual racist behaviour is relevant and could be integrated into the structural analysis that Mills is championing, since structural injustices likely influence the forms that interpersonal racism takes. Be that as it may, Mills focuses on "socio-institutional" racism (see p. 45) as the more fundamental phenomenon and which can exist even in the absence of interpersonal racism. He holds that racially unequal societies possess a "racialized basic structure" (p. 54), which discriminates against black people even while they possess formal equality with white people. These distinctions allow for the observation that ideal theory of the Rawlsian kind, which justifies principles for societies that are at least approximately just, cannot address racial discriminations of the kind that are typical for Western societies, since they simply do not exist in this framework.

This is where methodological negativism comes into play. Mills states that, instead of focusing on scenarios of roughly full compliance, theorists should start by designing principles of non-ideal theory with the aim of establishing transitional justice. This will lead to substantially different principles and priority rules, compared for example to the well-known principles that are discussed by Rawls under the notion of justice as fairness. Ideal theory does not become altogether obsolete in this variant of methodological negativism, however. Its proper function is to illustrate the ideal of a just society, which could one day be realized if principles of non-ideal theory are implemented. So despite his harsh criticism of Rawlsian ideal theory, Mills acknowledges a need for ideal theory next to non-ideal theorizing. Within his framework of "modified Rawlsianism" (p. 66), his use of the distinction between ideal and non-ideal theory is also broadly in line with Rawls' usage.

Fricker, too, is renowned for addressing a category that has hitherto been neglected in egalitarian thought, namely that of epistemic injustice (2007). In "Epistemic Contribution as a Central Human Capability", Fricker builds on central themes of her groundbreaking monograph. Her goal is to show that any society dedicated to furthering human well-being has to take seriously the ways in which it enables or constrains the capacities of its members to contribute to commonly shared knowledge. In order to enhance the well-being of their members, societies must realize their capability of epistemic contribution, understood as a "combined capability" in the sense coined by Martha Nussbaum (that is, as both an internally developed and an externally enabled capability). Fricker affirms and significantly extends the capabilities metric developed by Sen and Nussbaum. Her work is more closely aligned with Nussbaum than with Sen, since she emphasizes her sympathies for the project of formulating a "list of capabilities that might at least roughly capture workable universal characterisation of human well-being" (p. 77). However, Nussbaum's list is incomplete according to Fricker, because it displays a bias towards capabilities of practical as opposed to theoretical reason (see p. 75). In going back to Wolff and Avner de-Shalit (2007, p. 45), Fricker defends a "two-directional conception of human well-being" (p. 76), reminding us that "while it is good to receive it is also good to give " (p. 75). Fricker posits that the capability of epistemic contribution consists in being able to "contribute to the pool of shared epistemic materials -- materials for knowledge, understanding, and very often for practical deliberation" (p. 76).

It is not Fricker's aim to show that we can sometimes be morally obliged not to withhold knowledge from others, which would be a relatively easy and straightforward task depending on the concrete type and context of concealment in question. She instead aims to show that it is good and even essential for their wellbeing for individuals to contribute knowledge to society. Individuals' capabilities of epistemic contribution can be constrained or enabled by certain types of interpersonal behaviour as well as by societal structures. To justify why the protection of this capability of theoretical reason is important, Fricker draws on the value of non-domination in the sense of liberty from arbitrary interference made famous by Philip Pettit. Pettit argues that freedom from arbitrary interference can only be secured through public institutions which allow members of society to publicly contest such interferences. For such contestation, however, the capability of epistemic contribution must in turn be realized (see p. 86).

Beyond introducing a concept that deserves the concern of egalitarians in theory and practice, Fricker sheds light on a number of other hotly debated issues, such as the critique of recipient-oriented approaches to equality and the conceptualization of relational equality. Fricker also has interesting things to say on what she calls a "failure-first methodology" (p. 74), which informs her account of epistemic injustice and her concept of epistemic contribution. Her methodology is similar to Mills', in that it places an emphasis on starting with the negative. But it diverges at least in one respect: for Fricker, starting with the negative is not necessarily tied to non-ideal theorizing, since the concepts of "justice" and "equality" need to be comprehensively interpreted by taking into account the "endemic pressures for collapse into injustice and inequality" (p. 73). Fricker therefore emphasizes that a failure-first-methodology is conceptually distinct from the dichotomy of ideal and non-ideal theorizing and can yield fruitful results within either framework.

In "Social Equality, Relative Poverty and Marginalised Groups", Wolff answers these methodological questions differently. Wolff's aim is to analyze how absolute and relative poverty prevent the achievement of a (truly) equal society, which he defines as one that is free from asymmetrical relations and from relations of estrangement and alienation. His methodology for this enterprise is set out at the start of the essay. Like Mills and Fricker, Wolff emphasizes the importance of "starting from problems with the actual world rather than a depiction of an ideal world" (p. 24). But unlike Mills and Fricker, who each acknowledge the significance of ideal theory when appropriately combined with non-ideal theory, Wolff completely rejects ideal theory. He holds that "an ideal theory of social equality is hard to sustain, because it is very difficult to give precise and unique content to an ideal of social equality" (p. 22). Instead, there are "many different ways in which a society could count as a 'society of equals' . . . . Quaker Society, a Kibbutz, and a 1960s Californian Hippy community may all, if things go well, count as small-scale societies of equals" (p. 23). In place of the term of non-ideal theory Wolff suggests that of "real-world political philosophy" (p. 22), because it avoids any connotation of dependence on ideal theorizing.

Looking at the work of Mills, Fricker, and Wolff, we can distinguish three variants of methodological negativism. Mills' variant is placed within the classical Rawlsian understanding of ideal and non-ideal theory, but displays a much greater emphasis on the latter as opposed to the former. Fricker's approach underlines the distinctness and complementarity of the negativist methodology by stating that it can be applied to either non-ideal or ideal theorizing. Wolff's methodological negativism transcends the classic distinction of ideal and non-ideal theory by rejecting the focus on ideals for political theory altogether. Mills' and Fricker's approaches to methodological negativism are in principle compatible, but Wolff's approach cannot be reconciled with them, due to his complete rejection of ideal theory.

Methodological concerns are not the only focus in Wolff's article. His two main themes are providing an account of different forms of poverty, and reflecting on how to tackle them from a perspective that values the idea of "social equality" (widely treated as synonymous with "relational equality"). This idea has gained steam in recent years since being affirmed in the writings of thinkers such as Elizabeth Anderson, Samuel Scheffler and Tim Scanlon, and it is also treated in a number of other contributions to the volume (compare the third paragraph above; see also Fourie/Schuppert/Wallimann-Helmer 2015). Wolff dedicates particular attention to the notion of relative poverty and how it is connected with that of social (in)equality. Poverty is dependent on what is customary in a given society, Adam Smith noted when he wrote that "in the present times, through the greater part of Europe, a creditable day-labourer would be ashamed to appear in public without a linen shirt" (Smith 1776, book 5, ch. 2). According to Wolff, "one is in relative poverty if one lacks the consumption and household goods customary in one's society, or lacks resources sufficient to allow a social life, or is unable to purchase what is needed to avoid shame" (p. 26). While this tripartite notion of relative poverty has material implications, it is preferable to purely monetary definitions (e.g. defining poverty as receiving an income below 60 percent of the median income). Numerical definitions of poverty scratch only at the surface of what it means to be poor, and fail to distinguish between material inequalities, as problematic as they may otherwise be, and poverty. Wolff's definition shows how relative poverty and social inequality are connected yet distinct phenomena. They are not identical because there can be other forms of inequality that are not reflected in a lack of resources to participate in customary social practices -- such as asymmetric race or gender relations. Wolff analyses different constellations of deprivation that result from the desire to "fit in", such as when people spend resources on status goods such as mobile phones despite lacking the resources for basic necessities (see p. 29). Fighting poverty effectively might also be complicated by the fact that "fitting in" to a local community might require different resources or efforts than fitting in to society more broadly.

Wolff's account of poverty is illuminating. It shows how relative poverty may be interpreted from a social egalitarian perspective, according to which equal distributions of specific goods are not of ultimate, but only derivative egalitarian concern. His essay should be of interest not only for normative and empirical theorists, but also for policy-makers and others who deal with the goal of poverty-alleviation in practice.

The articles by Mills, Fricker and Wolff are representative of a collection that embodies the state of the art of contemporary egalitarian theory in many respects. Two important subjects, however, are missing from the otherwise multifaceted picture. There is no engagement with economic inequalities beyond the nation state. Neither does this work treat intergenerational environmental inequalities resulting from environmental degradation and man-made climate change. These two concerns give egalitarians reason to question the fairness and legitimacy of the international order. To start with, the distribution of income and capital across nation states remains highly unequal, which increases incentives for those who find themselves in less fortunate circumstances to seek better living conditions abroad. Furthermore, while trade with resources, goods and services has never been more global and interdependent than today, it may be argued that the current system has primarily benefitted the world's wealthy and powerful, and that it rests on practices that are highly environmentally destructive and which violate the basic human rights of labourers and affected populations. Finally, past and present generations have contributed to environmental degradation and fossil fuel consumption to a much larger degree than future generations will, assuming they act in such a way as to avoid the most catastrophic outcomes.

What should we make of the absence of these topics in an anthology that seeks to shed light on contemporary egalitarian theorizing? An uncharitable reading may trace it back to an unexpressed particularism. It would be hard to argue that demands of equal treatment stop at national or communal borders or generational confines -- at least not in a highly interdependent world like ours. Neither could the widely shared social (or relational) egalitarian perspective plausibly attach any such categorical constraints to egalitarian demands. New technologies now allow an increasing number of the world's least well-off individuals to compare themselves to more privileged individuals across national boundaries, which in turn affects what they seek to achieve in life and what they will regard as justified or unjustified inequalities. A more charitable interpretation is that a single anthology simply cannot cover all of the issues that are currently at the forefront of egalitarian theory. However, it should be clear that while it remains important and rewarding to reflect on the conditions of "The Equal Society", an egalitarian should certainly not stop there. Instead, she should also ask what it would mean to transform transnational and transgenerational relations in a way so that all humans are (truly) treated as equals.

Carina Fourie, Fabian Schuppert, Ivo Wallimann-Helmer (eds.), Social Equality: On What It Means to Be Equals , Oxford University Press 2015.

Miranda Fricker, Epistemic Injustice: Power & the Ethics of Knowing , Oxford University Press 2007.

Adam Smith, An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations [1776], edited by R. H. Campbell and A. S. Skinner, Clarendon Press/Oxford University Press 1976.

Jonathan Wolff/Avner De-Shalit, Disadvantage , Oxford University Press 2007.

Feminist Perspectives of Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A)

• Living reference work entry
• Latest version View entry history
• First Online: 14 September 2020
• Cite this living reference work entry

• Patricia Becker 7 ,
• Katherine Kafonek 7 &
• Jamie L. Manzer 7  

798 Accesses

2 Citations

This chapter offers an overview of feminist thinking on intimate partner violence and abuse (IPV/A), focusing on the evolution and variety of feminist perspectives as they respond to IPV/A in parallel with the advancement of the women’s movement. The chapter first describes how feminist perspectives account for multiple experiences, identities, and social problems related to IPV/A and second, describes the history of the women’s movement and its role in shaping these feminist perspectives of IPV/A. Third, this chapter outlines how theorists have used the feminist perspective to develop a number of explanations for IPV/A. We conclude the chapter with recommendations for future research and the relevance of feminist perspectives in understanding and addressing IPV/A going forward.

This chapter was initially published with an incorrect copyright holder name. It has been corrected to © Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

On the Importance of Feminist Theories: Gender, Race, Sexuality and IPV

Theoretical considerations on men’s experiences of intimate partner violence: an interview-based study.

Alcoff, L. (1988). Cultural feminism versus post-structuralism: The identity crisis in feminist theory. Signs, 13 (3), 405–436.

Google Scholar  

Beauvoir, S. (1960). La Force de l’dge . Paris: Gallimard.

Black, M. C., Basile, K. C., Breiding, M. J., Smith, S. G., Walters, M. L., Merrick, M. T., Chen, J., & Stevens, M. R. (2011). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 summary report . Atlanta: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Brownmiller, S. (1975). Against our will: Men, women and rape . New York: Simon & Schuster.

Burgess-Proctor, A. (2006). Intersections of race, class and gender and crime: Future directions for feminist criminology. Feminist Criminology, 1 (1), 27–47.

Burt, M. R. (1980). Cultural myths and supports for rape. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 38 (2), 217–230.

Cannon, C., Lauve-Moon, K., & Buttell, F. (2015). Re-theorizing intimate partner violence through post-structural feminism, queer theory, and the sociology of gender. Social Sciences, 4 , 668–687.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2019). Intimate partner violence: Definitions. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/definitions.html

Chesney-Lind, M. (2002). Criminalizing victimization: The unintended consequences of pro-arrest policies for girls and women. Criminology & Public Policy, 2 (1), 81–90.

Coker, D. (2000). Shifting power for battered women: Law, material resources and poor women of color. University of California Davis Law Review, 33 , 1009–1054.

Coker, A. L., Davis, K. E., Arias, I., Desai, S., Sanderson, M., Brandt, H. M., & Smith, P. H. (2002). Physical and mental health effects of intimate partner violence for men and women. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 23 (4), 260–268.

Collins, P. H. (1990). Black feminist thought: Knowledge, consciousness, and the politics of empowerment . New York/London: Routledge.

Connell, R. W. (2005). Masculinities . Berkeley: University of California Press.

Connell, R. W., & Messerschmidt, J. W. (2005). Hegemonic masculinity: Rethinking the concept. Gender & Society, 19 (6), 829–859.

Crane, C. A., Hawes, S. W., Mandel, D. L., & Easton, C. J. (2014). The occurrence of female-to male partner violence among male intimate partner violence offenders mandated to treatment: A brief research report. Violence and Victims, 29 (6), 940–951.

Creighton, G., & Oliffe, J. L. (2010). Theorising masculinities and men’s health: A brief history with a view to practice. Health Sociology Review, 19 , 409–418.

Crenshaw, K. (1989). Demarginalizing the intersection of race and sex: A Black feminist critique of antidiscrimination doctrine, feminist theory and antiracist politics. University of Chicago Legal Forum, 140 , 139–167.

DeKeseredy, W. S. (1990). Woman abuse in dating relationships: The contribution of male peer support. Sociological Inquiry, 60 (3), 236–243.

Dobash, R. E., & Dobash, R. P. (1979). Violence against wives . New York: Free Press.

Dobash, R. E., & Dobash, R. P. (1992). Women, violence and social change . London/New York: Routledge.

Dutton, D. G., & Painter, S. L. (1993). The battered woman syndrome: Effects of severity and intermittency of abuse. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 63 , 614–622.

Gelles, R. J. (1976). Abused wives: Why do they stay? Journal of Marriage and the Family, 38 , 659–668.

Harding, S. (1986). The instability of analytical categories of feminist theories. Signs, 11 (4), 645–664.

Hirschel, D., McCormack, P. D., & Buzawa, E. (2017). A 10-year study of the impact of intimate partner violence primary aggressor laws on single and dual arrest. Journal of Intimate Partner Violence . https://doi.org/10.1177/0866260517739290 . Advanced online publication.

Holtzworth-Munroe, A. (2005). Male versus female intimate partner violence: Putting controversial findings into context. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67 (5), 1120–1125.

Ingram, M., McClelland, D. J., Martin, J., Caballero, M. F., Mayogra, M. T., & Gillespie, K. (2007). Experiences of immigrant women who self-petition under the Violence Against Women Act. Violence Against Women, 16 (8), 858–880.

Kelly, K. A. (2003). Domestic violence and the politics of privacy . Ithaca: Cornell University Press.

McPhail, B. A., Busch, N. B., Kulkarni, S., & Rice, G. (2007). An integrative feminist model: The evolving feminist perspective on intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women, 13 (8), 817–841.

Messinger, A. M. (2017). LGBTQ intimate partner violence: Lessons for policy, practice, and research . Berkeley: University of California Press.

Miller, S. (2005). Victims as offenders: The paradox of women’s violence in relationships . New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press.

Millett, K. (1970). Sexual Politics. New York: Columbia University Press.

Mosher, D. L., & Sirkin, M. (1984). Measuring a macho personality constellation. Journal of Research in Personality, 18 , 150–163.

Murnen, S. K., Wright, C., & Kaluzny, G. (2002). If “boys will be boys,” then girls will be victims? A meta-analytic review of the research that relates masculine ideology to sexual aggression. Sex Roles, 46 (11/12), 359–375.

Pence, E. (2001). Safety for battered women in a textually mediated legal system. Culture and Organization, 7 (2), 199–229.

Peterson, C., Kearns, M. C., McIntosh, W. L., Estefan, L. F., Nicolaidis, C., McCollister, K. E., & Florence, C. (2018). Lifetime economic burden of intimate partner violence among U.S. adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 55 (4), 433–444.

Renzetti, C. M. (1997). Violence in lesbian and gay relationships. In L. L. O’Toole & J. R. Schiffman (Eds.), Gender violence: Interdisciplinary perspectives (pp. 285–293). New York: New York University Press.

Rhodes, N. R., & McKenzie, E. B. (1998). Why do battered women stay?: Three decades of research. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 3 , 391–406.

Richie, B. (2014). Who benefits and who loses in the criminalization of IPV: Considering the logic of punishment and impact of legal intervention as a tertiary prevention strategy. In: National Science Foundation/National Institute of Justice Workshop: A workshop on developing effective primary, secondary and tertiary interventions, Arlington, 14–16 May 2014.

Ritchie, A. (2006). Law enforcement violence against women of color. In Incite! The color of violence: Anthology (pp. 138–156). Boston: South End.

Saunders, D. G. (2002). Are physical assaults by wives and girlfriends a major social problem? A review of the literature. Violence Against Women, 8 , 1424–1448.

Simpson, S. S. (1989). Feminist theory, crime, and justice. Criminology, 27 (4), 605–631.

Smart, C. (1990). Feminist approaches to criminology: Or postmodern woman meets atavistic man. In L. Gelsthorpe & A. Morris (Eds.), Feminist perspectives in criminology (pp. 489–501). Milton Keynes: Open University Press.

Smith, S. G., Zhang, X., Basile, K. C., Merrick, M. T., Wang, J., Kresnow, M., & Chen, J. (2018). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2015 data brief – Updated release . Atlanta: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Stark, E. (2007). Coercive control: How men entrap women in personal life . New York: Oxford University Press.

Straus, M. A. (2006). Dominance and symmetry in partner violence by male and female university students in 32 nations. Paper presented at the Trends in Intimate Violence Intervention Conference, New York University.

Straus, M. A. (2008). Dominance and symmetry in partner violence by male and female university students in 32 nations. Children and Youth Services Review, 30 , 252–275.

Swan, S. C., & Snow, D. L. (2002). A typology of women’s use of violence in intimate relationships. Violence Against Women, 8 (3), 286–319.

Swan, S. C., Gambone, L. J., Caldwell, J. E., Sullivan, T. P., & Snow, D. L. (2008). A review of research on women’s use of violence with male intimate partners. Violence and Victims, 23 (3), 301–314.

Walker, L. (1979). The battered woman . New York: Harper & Row.

Walker, L. A. (1984). Battered women, psychology, and public policy. American Psychologist, 39 (10), 1178–1182.

Walker, L. A. (2006) Battered woman syndrome: Empirical findings. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1087(1):142–157

Wing, A. K. (2003). Introduction. In A. K. Wing (Ed.), Critical race feminism: A reader (pp. 1–19). New York: New York University Press.

World Health Organization [WHO], Department of Reproductive Health and Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, & the South African Medical Research Council. (2013). Global and regional estimates of violence against women: Prevalence and health effects of intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/85239/9789241564625_eng.pdf?sequence=1

Yllo, K. A., & Straus, M. A. (2017). Patriarchy and violence against wives: The impact of structural and normative factors. In M. A. Straus, R. J. Gelles, & C. Smith (Eds.), Physical violence in American families (pp. 383–400). New York: Routledge.

Download references

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA

Patricia Becker, Katherine Kafonek & Jamie L. Manzer

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patricia Becker .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma, Alliant International University, San Diego, CA, USA

Robert Geffner

School of Health and Human Sciences, University of North Carolina at Greensbo, Greensboro, NC, USA

Jacquelyn W. White

Dept of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

L. Kevin Hamberger

Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA

Alan Rosenbaum

Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA, USA

Viola Vaughan-Eden

Education and Research, Zero Abuse Project, St. Paul, MN, USA

Victor I. Vieth

Section Editor information

Consultant, Alexandria, VA, USA

Glenna Tinney

College of Arts and Sciences - Society, Culture, and Language, University of South Florida - St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

Shelly M. Wagers

University of North Carolina- Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA

Jennifer Langhinrichsen-Rohling

Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Cite this entry.

Becker, P., Kafonek, K., Manzer, J.L. (2020). Feminist Perspectives of Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (IPV/A). In: Geffner, R., White, J.W., Hamberger, L.K., Rosenbaum, A., Vaughan-Eden, V., Vieth, V.I. (eds) Handbook of Interpersonal Violence and Abuse Across the Lifespan. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_155-2

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_155-2

Received : 07 February 2020

Accepted : 18 March 2020

Published : 14 September 2020

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-319-62122-7

Online ISBN : 978-3-319-62122-7

eBook Packages : Springer Reference Behavioral Science and Psychology Reference Module Humanities and Social Sciences Reference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Chapter history

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_155-2

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62122-7_155-1

• Find a journal
• Track your research

Similar Class 8 Doubts

What do you understand by 'domestic violence' list the two rights that the new law helped to achieve for women who are survivors of violence, what do you understand by domestic violence list the two rights that the new law helped achieve for women who are survivors of violence related: ncert solutions - understanding laws, what do you understand by domestic violence list the two lines that the new law helped achieve for women who are survivors of violence, what do you understand by domestic violence related: understanding laws, do not let the two pieces of the straw touch each other what do you observe next, rub the free end of the suspended straw with a piece of paper. again, bring the straw that was rubbed by the paper near the suspended straw. what do you observe now (what do you understand from this activity), top courses for class 8 view all.

Science Class 8

Mathematics (Maths) Class 8

Social Studies (SST) Class 8

English Class 8

Cursive Writing Course-Improve Your Handwriting

Top courses for class 8.

Suggested Free Tests

Share your doubts

Welcome Back

Create your account for free.

Forgot Password

Unattempted tests, change country, practice & revise.

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• J Inj Violence Res
• v.11(2); 2019 Jul

Causes and consequences of adolescent dating violence: a systematic review

Stella r. taquette.

a Department of Pediatrics, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Denise Leite Maia Monteiro

b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Background:

Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is highly prevalent and can have serious health consequences, including homicides, and be a predictor of intimate partner violence in adulthood. This review aims to systematize the knowledge produced in recent empirical investigations in health that focus on the causes and consequences of ADV to subsidize new research and prevention programs.

Review of studies published in PubMed over the last five years through MeSH Database: “Intimate Partner Violence” AND “Adolescent” NOT “prevention and control” NOT “Adult”.

We analyzed 35 papers, of which 71.4% were developed in the USA. Some studies have shown prevalence greater than 50% in both genders, both as victims and perpetrators, with more serious consequences for females. Three main thematic cores were identified in the studies: ADV-related vulnerabilities, circularity of violence and ADV-associated health problems. Data indicate that ADV is deep-seated in the patriarchal culture and is more frequent in connection with racism, heterosexism and poverty. It occurs in a circular way and is linked to other forms of violence in different contexts (family, school, community and social media). It is associated with health problems such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, alcohol and drugs abuse and unprotected sex.

Conclusions:

The knowledge produced in the studies reviewed reveals the urgency and importance of implementing early preventive actions in schools, involving families and the community. These should focus on the deconstruction of current cultural gender patterns, based on their historical origin, in order to support emancipatory and liberating pedagogical approaches.

Introduction

Adolescent Dating Violence (ADV) is defined as any intentional, psychological/emotional, physical or sexual abuse that occurs between people involved in a romantic relationship. 1 It is a significant event in several parts of the world 2 and can have immediate and late health consequences, and women are the most serious and frequent injury victims. 3 , 4 ADV is often not perceived by those involved or valued by society, although it may culminate in murders, usually of women, as in abusive relationships in adulthood. 5 ADV is a predictor of marital violence in adulthood. 5 Femicide in adulthood has been addressed as an important public health problem and has been gaining prominence also concerning the health of adolescents. 6 , 7

Several population-based studies have shown health problems associated with ADV, including depression, anxiety, and alcohol and other drugs abuse. 8 Other authors point out the sexual risk behavior of STI/AIDS and the low academic performance as negative consequences of ADV. 9 In addition, there is evidence that violence in other settings, such as in the family and neighborhood may be related to ADV. 8

ADV is a health problem in different parts of the world and one of the main issues to be tackled. 7 Consequently, several policies and action programs have been implemented, especially in the school setting, the main arena for socialization and construction of adolescents’ identity. 10 , 11 However, the issue is hardly discussed in developing countries, and knowledge about the subject is still incipient, hampering sensitization of people about the problem and policy formulation to address it. 12

This bibliographic review is being proposed considering the challenges faced in addressing situations of violence involving intimate adolescents and the recognition of the need to act early to prevent this type of violence. It aims to systematize the knowledge produced in empirical investigations in the field of health focused on the causes and consequences of ADV. This review intends to subsidize new research and prevention programs that contribute to curb violence in intimate adolescent relationships.

This is a review of studies published in PubMed, the most important database of health studies. This database was chosen because it is the one that gathers the largest number of bibliographical sources from around the world in the field of health and journals of recognized quality. In general, papers published in qualified journals from other databases are also found in PubMed.

The following search strategy was followed on June 28, 2017 through MeSH Database: “Intimate Partner Violence” AND “Adolescent” NOT “prevention and control” NOT “Adult” in the last five years. Most of the articles found with this search strategy predominantly use the terminology Dating Violence.

Fifty-nine papers were made available. Then, after reading abstracts, 13 papers were excluded from the established inclusion criteria – papers with full-text in English, derived from empirical research with adolescents on ADV: 9 because they were studies with children and 4 with adults. After further reading, eleven more papers were excluded: 6 because they were not on the subject of the study, 2 because the full-texts were not available, 2 because they were review papers and 1 because they were published in German. Thus, a total of 35 papers were analyzed, as can be seen in the chart below ( Figure 1 ).

The thematic analysis of papers was carried out. First, separately by each author. Subsequently, authors showed each other’s analyses and reached the final categories through dialogue with literature. The following steps marked by Minayo13 were followed: comprehension reading and rereading to familiarize with data; identification of themes of analysis considering the objectives of the study; classification of themes and comparative dialogue with literature; and elaboration of interpretative synthesis.

In addition to papers of this review shown in Table 1 , ​ ,2 2 and ​ and3 3 in the results, other 19 papers included in the introduction to the text and in data discussion were read.

*TDV: Teen Dating Violence; ** IPV: Intimate Partner Violence; *** RR: Relative Risk

* TDV: Teen Dating Violence; ** IPV: Intimate Partner Violence; *** RR: Relative Risk

Results and Discussion

Most of the studies used a quantitative method, of which 25 (71.4%) were cross-sectional studies and nine (25.7%) were longitudinal cohort studies. Only one (2.8%) of the studies used a qualitative method using focal groups and participant observation. As for the location, 26 were conducted in North America (25 in the U.S. and one in Canada); four in Africa (1 in Egypt, 2 in South Africa and 1 in several countries - Egypt, South Africa, Liberia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia); 4 in Europe (1 UK, 2 Spain and 1 Sweden); and 1 in Asia (Japan).

ADV prevalence rates were variable, with the highest one found at 70.7%, in a study carried out in Egypt with 400 adolescents of both genders, referring to any type of ADV, whether psychological, physical or sexual. 14 The second highest rate was 70%, shown in a research developed in the U.S. with 399 adolescents. 15 A study conducted in seven African capitals evidenced ADV prevalence ranging from 26.5% to 48%. 16 In other studies with a higher number of adolescents, rates were lower: 33.4% in a study of 14,190 secondary school students in the U.S. 17 and 27.7% in a sample of 6,390 American adolescents. 18 It is worth noting that there are different types of dating-related abuse and that, according to Reidy’s study, 19 few adolescents engage in multiple forms of violence and most young people are not perpetrators.

Considering the aim of this review to highlight the causes and consequences of ADV, three main thematic cores were identified in the studies: I– ADV-related vulnerabilities; II– circularity of violence; and III– ADV-associated health problems. We sorted papers in three tables, in a didactic way according to the main thematic core that originated them, although papers identified drew characteristics of more than one thematic core or all, as described and analyzed below. Table 1 , ​ ,2 2 and ​ and3 3 show the study design, location, thematic categories, objectives, sample studied and results/conclusions. They are shown at the end of each category.

I - ADV-related vulnerabilities

The concept of vulnerability applied to health emerged and gained momentum in the 1990s in the face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. 20 It refers to a set of aspects, not only individual, but also collective and social that lead to greater susceptibility to illness. In the analysis of papers in this bibliographic review, we observed that certain vulnerabilities, similar to those observed in the HIV/AIDS epidemic, are identified as ADV-related, including gender inequality, low age, racial discrimination, homophobia and poverty.

Among these factors, what stands out the most in the reviewed works is gender inequality. This feature underpins the patriarchal culture, in which the social roles played by men and women are assigned different powers. Men are domineering and women dominated, which makes men naturally aggressive and strong, and women, in turn, fragile and helpless. Oftentimes, this domination relationship that justifies violence in certain situations is not perceived even in cases of physical abuse that are sometimes considered normal in a dating relationship. 3

The patriarchal culture favors the boys’ perpetration of violence, because when they feel their virilities threatened, they try to impose themselves by violent means and consider this violence of lesser importance. 21 Thus, gender inequality is a risk factor for violence against women in this age group. 22 , 23

The revised papers reveal that both boys and girls are ADV victims and perpetrators, with prevalence varying according to the stage of adolescence. In some phases of adolescence, women are more perpetrators of physical and psychological violence than men, 24 , 25 differing from the characteristics of intimate partner violence in adulthood. 26 However, as for sexual violence, they are the main victims. Although reciprocal involvement in violence is pointed out as the most common pattern of ADV, the consequences are always worse for girls. 14 , 27 , 28

Gender violence, such as early marriage, abusive sexual behavior, deprivation of work and inheritance and the impediment of family visits 29 is trivialized or unrecognized in certain cultures. On the other hand, in cultures where this is recognized, ADV is less frequent, just as adolescents have more conservative sexual behavior and more egalitarian relationships. 30

Racial discrimination, poverty and heterosexism are vulnerabilities found in the studies analyzed that were associated to ADV. The World Conference Against Racism held in Durban in 2001 31 stresses the importance articulating between gender discrimination, racism, homophobia and class exploitation, common oppressions in the international globalization context. Alleyne-Green et al 32 observed that ADV is particularly more likely in non-white girls.

A higher prevalence of ADV among non-whites was also found by Earnest et al 33 in a study with 75,590 students. Some papers have shown that ADV is more prevalent in poverty contexts, especially in African Americans and among couples of sexual minority. 17 , 34 , 35 The higher rate of violence in same-gender couples in some studies leads to a reflection on the weight of heterosexism and homophobia in the context of social vulnerability for the occurrence of ADV. 18 , 36 , 37

II - Circularity of Violence

Violence in other contexts, such as in the family and in the neighborhood seems to be related to ADV, 15 , 38 , 39 corroborating with the idea of circularity of violence brought by some authors. 40 , 41 It is observed that structural violence of society that denies citizenship to some social groups is also related to community, intrafamily and interpersonal violence. It occurs in circular fashion in the diverse environments of adolescents’ socialization, dating relationships, family and friends. 2 Patterns of social interaction learned throughout life may predict future violent behavior in intimate relationships. However, not all who are exposed to violence become aggressive adolescents. 19 Cultural factors influence the emergence of ADV. A study conducted in United Kingdom and Spain revealed similar ADV rates in both countries. However, severe forms are more common in Spain, since in this country, milder expressions of violence are widely accepted as a normal event. 42

Part of the studies of this review evidences an association between hostile treatment, anger and aggressive responses and ADV. 24 Other studies have shown corporal punishment in the family and at school as ADV-associated factors. 14 ADV-bullying was a frequent finding. 17 , 18

The history of ill-treatment in childhood, witnessing intrafamily violence, poor care provided by parents and feeling insecure at school are found in several studies as strongly associated with ADV. 16 , 32 - 34

Psychological distress may be the causal role in the relationship between domestic violence and victimization in adolescence dating. 43 In addition, ADV can create a relationship pattern that persists in adulthood. 44 The ADV rate is high among adolescents, estimated at 70% in a study with 299 mothers who were victims of domestic violence and their adolescent children. Adolescents reported perpetrating at least one of three dating abuse types. 15 On the other hand, adolescents with a good family relationship, in which both parents are present, engage less in ADV and are less likely to tolerate or perpetrate some kind of violence in intimate relationships. 27 , 45 ADV perpetration is also lower when adolescents have more propositional peer networks and neighborhood social control. 41 The quality of the neighborhood is itself a contextual factor that can influence the emotional well-being of individuals. The bad neighborhood objective conditions, including poverty and instability of residence cause emotional distress that can increase the probability of ADV. 38

Another context associated to ADV identified in papers was that of virtual violence. 46 The popularity of using text messages, social media and Internet among adolescents can create opportunities for dating violence through virtual media. It includes attitudes such as monitoring, control, harassment or verbal and emotional abuse of a partner through technology, cell phones, threatening text or voice messages, or online publications of insulting content.

III- ADV-associated health problems

As mentioned in previous categories, the worst consequences of ADV are endured by females, and femicideis the most serious, the murder of women committed by men, typical of patriarchal regime, in which they are subjected to their control. 5 Murder is one of the leading causes of death in young women and adolescents in the United States. 47 However, none of the papers in this review focused on this serious and relevant issue. No studies were also found to relate ADV to suicide, another severe event in which a significant gender differential is evidenced, and women and sexual minorities are the most frequent victims. 48 , 49

The consequences of ADV observed in the studies analyzed were low self-esteem, depressive symptoms, psychiatric disorders, drug abuse, risky sexual behavior and low academic performance. 18 , 32 , 50 The more intense the violence, the greater the prevalence of severe psychiatric disorders common in adolescents. The association between psychiatric disorders and ADV varies with age, and the strength of the association decreased in magnitude with age. 51 The acceptance of psychological abuse seems to mediate the association between ADV and psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety and hostility. 44 The heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages and other drugs is associated with an increased perpetration of physical violence in dating. 41 Copp 38 identified that symptoms of anger and depression are found in cases of intimate partner violence associated with the disadvantageous neighborhood.

ADV is related to the use of chemical substances. 52 This association is found when both partners are drug users, when only one is a drug user and with different types of drugs (alcoholic beverages, marijuana). 53 In some studies, there was an intersection between ADV and substance use as a means of dealing with the disruption of the love relationship. 54

Final Considerations

This review evidences that the phenomenon of ADV is complex since it involves multiple causes of an individual, social and cultural nature that require intersectoral actions to address it. The revised studies further clarify the potential health impairments resulting from ADV. However, it is worth highlighting the lack of research on homicides of adolescent and young women that could reveal other relevant angles of the problem to public health. The main recommendation of this review is the urgent and essential need of preventive actions that focus on the deconstruction of current cultural patterns of gender based on the revival of its history, in order to support emancipatory and liberating pedagogical approaches to be implemented early in schools, involving families and the community.

Funding: None.

Competing interests: None declared.

Ethical approval: Not required.

Gender Inequality Essay

500+ words essay on gender inequality.

For many years, the dominant gender has been men while women were the minority. It was mostly because men earned the money and women looked after the house and children. Similarly, they didn’t have any rights as well. However, as time passed by, things started changing slowly. Nonetheless, they are far from perfect. Gender inequality remains a serious issue in today’s time. Thus, this gender inequality essay will highlight its impact and how we can fight against it.

  About Gender Inequality Essay

Gender inequality refers to the unequal and biased treatment of individuals on the basis of their gender. This inequality happens because of socially constructed gender roles. It happens when an individual of a specific gender is given different or disadvantageous treatment in comparison to a person of the other gender in the same circumstance.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Impact of Gender Inequality

The biggest problem we’re facing is that a lot of people still see gender inequality as a women’s issue. However, by gender, we refer to all genders including male, female, transgender and others.

When we empower all genders especially the marginalized ones, they can lead their lives freely. Moreover, gender inequality results in not letting people speak their minds. Ultimately, it hampers their future and compromises it.

History is proof that fighting gender inequality has resulted in stable and safe societies. Due to gender inequality, we have a gender pay gap. Similarly, it also exposes certain genders to violence and discrimination.

In addition, they also get objectified and receive socioeconomic inequality. All of this ultimately results in severe anxiety, depression and even low self-esteem. Therefore, we must all recognize that gender inequality harms genders of all kinds. We must work collectively to stop these long-lasting consequences and this gender inequality essay will tell you how.

How to Fight Gender Inequality

Gender inequality is an old-age issue that won’t resolve within a few days. Similarly, achieving the goal of equality is also not going to be an easy one. We must start by breaking it down and allow it time to go away.

Firstly, we must focus on eradicating this problem through education. In other words, we must teach our young ones to counter gender stereotypes from their childhood.

Similarly, it is essential to ensure that they hold on to the very same beliefs till they turn old. We must show them how sports are not gender-biased.

Further, we must promote equality in the fields of labour. For instance, some people believe that women cannot do certain jobs like men. However, that is not the case. We can also get celebrities on board to promote and implant the idea of equality in people’s brains.

All in all, humanity needs men and women to continue. Thus, inequality will get us nowhere. To conclude the gender inequality essay, we need to get rid of the old-age traditions and mentality. We must teach everyone, especially the boys all about equality and respect. It requires quite a lot of work but it is possible. We can work together and achieve equal respect and opportunities for all genders alike.

FAQ of Gender Inequality Essay

Question 1: What is gender inequality?

Answer 1: Gender inequality refers to the unequal and biased treatment of individuals on the basis of their gender. This inequality happens because of socially constructed gender roles. It happens when an individual of a specific gender is given different or disadvantageous treatment in comparison to a person of the other gender in the same circumstance.

Question 2: How does gender inequality impact us?

Answer 2:  The gender inequality essay tells us that gender inequality impacts us badly. It takes away opportunities from deserving people. Moreover, it results in discriminatory behaviour towards people of a certain gender. Finally, it also puts people of a certain gender in dangerous situations.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Gender equality starts at home: Five ways to drive change within the family

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to LinkedIn
• Share to E-mail

Around the world, families are on the front lines of the struggle for gender equality —and can be “make or break” for women and girls when it comes to achieving their rights. They can be places of love and support, but too often are spaces where women’s and girls’ rights are violated and their voices stifled.

On the International Day of Families, we’re highlighting the ways that families and communities can drive change and promote equality by upholding feminist values in and around family units. From celebrating positive masculinity and sharing care work to having open and honest discussions about existing inequalities and gender-based violence, here are five ways family units can help build a more equal future for everyone.

Share the care

From cooking and cleaning, to fetching water and firewood or taking care of children and the elderly, women carry out at least three times more unpaid household and care work than men. As a result, thousands of women and girls miss out on equal opportunities to attend school, engage in paid work, or enjoy leisure time.

In Kyrgyzstan, under the Spotlight Initiative, UN Women is working to change social norms in and outside of homes through community trainings and awareness-raising. Gulnaz Almambet Kyzy and her husband attended one of these trainings in 2021 and, after seeing a visual representation of how their care work was divided, decided to make some changes.

“We both work 40 hours a week, but he used to come home from work and lie on the couch watching TV, while I was responsible for doing all the housework in the evenings,” said Gulnaz “Unfortunately, it is acceptable behaviour in our country.”

Since the training, Gulnaz and her husband have reassessed their responsibilities and more equally divide care work at home. “The atmosphere in our family has improved a lot with better communication and a more equal distribution of family chores,” she said. “It gave me some time to make my dream come true and open my own business, which has increased our family income by 50 per cent.” 

Support women's economic empowerment

Women’s economic empowerment sets a direct path towards gender equality, poverty eradication and inclusive economic growth. Women make enormous contributions to economies, whether in businesses, on farms, as entrepreneurs or employees. But for many women, domestic inequalities and a lack of support at home holds them back from reaching their full potential.

In Sri Lanka, Jena Jeyakanthi’s small business was able to succeed due to the encouragement of her mother, grandmother, husband and children. After attending an entrepreneurship training organized by UN Women and a local partner, Jena began selling local herbs and vegetables. Today, she has her own brand—and has found that her new economic independence has improved life at home.

“When a woman has her own income, her confidence will grow, and she will have her freedom. If we work towards securing our rights, we can escape violence to some extent as well,” Jena said.

Since finding her own success and independence, she advises men to help empower the women in their lives, too: “I ask them to please support these women. And if you cannot, at least don’t trouble them.”

Celebrate positive masculinity

Traditional notions of masculinity often discourage men from engaging in care and domestic work, as well as from communicating their emotions in open, healthy ways. Challenging such notions—key to fostering equality and preventing violence—starts at home.

As a young father from the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip in Gaza, Muhammad Kaddass used to live adhering to conventional gender roles —namely working, providing for his family, and trying to be a good husband the way he knew how. 

Then, Muhammad participated in a series of discussions organized by UN Women. While the idea of taking on more household and care work didn’t appeal to him at first, learning how these chores and responsibilities would benefit his family motivated him to get involved.

Through the workshops, Muhammad learned not only why equality at home is important, but how being a more engaged father and setting an example of positive masculinity can end cycles of aggression and lead to better and happier futures for his children.

"When the program started, I wished that I had taken it when I first got married. My marital life would have been very different," said Muhammad.

Empower the next generation

Around the world, young people are pushing for a better, more equitable world. Support and encouragement at home can helo put them on the path to success. When we empower and educate young advocates about women’s rights, we are ensuring a better future for us all.

At just 16, Isidora Guzman has already made strides towards creating an equal and accessible future for all . One of her major achievements includes the development of an app to help people with disabilities find parking in their municipality.

“By enforcing inclusion, society can change the exclusionary paradigm, providing each person with specific tools so that they can live in dignity without any barriers. I advocate for inclusion in general and not solely for disability, because we all deserve to find our place in the world,” she said.

For Isidora and many youth activists and leaders, this passion for equality for all started within her own family. As a wheelchair user herself, Isidora is glad to have grown up in a home surrounded by support .

Thanks to the encouragement she received at home, there is no limit to Isidora’s dreams, and her commitment to an inclusive and equitable future is already shaping the world around her.

“I think I was always in an environment that taught me the value of feminism, because my parents and my maternal grandmother raised me without barriers or stereotypes, teaching me that nothing and no one could put limits to achieve my goals,” she said.

End harmful practices

Practices like female genital mutilation (FGM) deprive women and girls of their agency as well as their physical well-being. Most often performed on children, FGM has serious health consequences in both the short and long term, and progress on the issue—already too slow—has been threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At 8 years old, Ifrah Ahmed underwent FGM at the hands of a family member, suffering pain and discomfort through much of her life as a result. After fleeing conflict in her home country of Somalia and arriving in Ireland as a refugee, she learned from medical professionals and other survivors more about the harm caused by the practice—and has now devoted her life to eradicating it .

In 2010 she co-founded the Ifrah foundation and has partnered with projects and experts around the world to drive change. With UN Women’s support, the foundation is working on public events to educate communities on the harm of the practice and call on families to commit to not cutting their daughters.

Another of the foundation’s campaigns, created in partnership with UNFPA, is focused specifically on appealing to mothers as empowering forces in their daughters’ lives.

“Mothers, sisters, grandmothers say that if they have been through FGM, their daughter should do the same. It’s the mentality,” Ifrah said. She’s working to change that mentality through the Dear Daughters campaign, whichinvites mothers to write down their stories of FGM and commit to end the cycle by not allowing the same to happen to their daughters.

• Gender equality and inequality
• Unpaid work
• Men and boys (masculinity)
• Gender equality and women’s empowerment

Related content

Why so few women are in political leadership, and five actions to boost women’s political participation

Accelerating progress on gender equality is key for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Women in Afghanistan have not stopped striving for their rights, and neither should we

Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Women's Rights — Equal Rights for Women: The Ongoing Struggle for Gender Equality

Equal Rights for Women: The Ongoing Struggle for Gender Equality

• Categories: Women's Rights

About this sample

Words: 613 |

Published: Mar 6, 2024

Words: 613 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Social Issues

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1151 words

2 pages / 926 words

2 pages / 702 words

2 pages / 711 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Women's Rights

Abina and the Important Men, written by Trevor R. Getz and Liz Clarke, is a graphic history that tells the story of Abina Mansah, a young West African woman who was enslaved in the 19th century. The book provides a unique [...]

Abortion is a highly debated and controversial topic that has sparked passionate discussions worldwide. In today's society, where individual rights and freedoms are highly valued, the issue of abortion remains a divisive and [...]

Medically ending a pregnancy before it has the chance to result in the birth of a baby is abortion (Izugbara, Otsola, & Ezeh, 2009). Abortion is yet to be legalized in Kenya due to pro-life and pro-choice squabbles. Pro-life [...]

Feminism, the belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes, has been a prominent force in shaping society for many decades. Throughout its history, feminism has made significant advancements in women's rights [...]

Feminism is defined as “the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes and the organized activities on behalf of women’s rights and interests” (Merriam-Webster). This includes liberation from sexual, [...]

Feminism can mean a lot of things but what it mostly comes down to is gender equality, being able to control your own life and live the choices you make. It is not about hating men or thinking that women are superior. In this [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

5 Powerful Essays Advocating for Gender Equality

Gender equality – which becomes reality when all genders are treated fairly and allowed equal opportunities –  is a complicated human rights issue for every country in the world. Recent statistics are sobering. According to the World Economic Forum, it will take 108 years to achieve gender parity . The biggest gaps are found in political empowerment and economics. Also, there are currently just six countries that give women and men equal legal work rights. Generally, women are only given ¾ of the rights given to men. To learn more about how gender equality is measured, how it affects both women and men, and what can be done, here are five essays making a fair point.

Take a free course on Gender Equality offered by top universities!

“Countries With Less Gender Equity Have More Women In STEM — Huh?” – Adam Mastroianni and Dakota McCoy

This essay from two Harvard PhD candidates (Mastroianni in psychology and McCoy in biology) takes a closer look at a recent study that showed that in countries with lower gender equity, more women are in STEM. The study’s researchers suggested that this is because women are actually especially interested in STEM fields, and because they are given more choice in Western countries, they go with different careers. Mastroianni and McCoy disagree.

They argue the research actually shows that cultural attitudes and discrimination are impacting women’s interests, and that bias and discrimination is present even in countries with better gender equality. The problem may lie in the Gender Gap Index (GGI), which tracks factors like wage disparity and government representation. To learn why there’s more women in STEM from countries with less gender equality, a more nuanced and complex approach is needed.

“Men’s health is better, too, in countries with more gender equality” – Liz Plank

When it comes to discussions about gender equality, it isn’t uncommon for someone in the room to say, “What about the men?” Achieving gender equality has been difficult because of the underlying belief that giving women more rights and freedom somehow takes rights away from men. The reality, however, is that gender equality is good for everyone. In Liz Plank’s essay, which is an adaption from her book For the Love of Men: A Vision for Mindful Masculinity, she explores how in Iceland, the #1 ranked country for gender equality, men live longer. Plank lays out the research for why this is, revealing that men who hold “traditional” ideas about masculinity are more likely to die by suicide and suffer worse health. Anxiety about being the only financial provider plays a big role in this, so in countries where women are allowed education and equal earning power, men don’t shoulder the burden alone.

Liz Plank is an author and award-winning journalist with Vox, where she works as a senior producer and political correspondent. In 2015, Forbes named her one of their “30 Under 30” in the Media category. She’s focused on feminist issues throughout her career.

“China’s #MeToo Moment” –  Jiayang Fan

Some of the most visible examples of gender inequality and discrimination comes from “Me Too” stories. Women are coming forward in huge numbers relating how they’ve been harassed and abused by men who have power over them. Most of the time, established systems protect these men from accountability. In this article from Jiayang Fan, a New Yorker staff writer, we get a look at what’s happening in China.

The essay opens with a story from a PhD student inspired by the United States’ Me Too movement to open up about her experience with an academic adviser. Her story led to more accusations against the adviser, and he was eventually dismissed. This is a rare victory, because as Fan says, China employs a more rigid system of patriarchy and hierarchy. There aren’t clear definitions or laws surrounding sexual harassment. Activists are charting unfamiliar territory, which this essay explores.

“Men built this system. No wonder gender equality remains as far off as ever.” – Ellie Mae O’Hagan

Freelance journalist Ellie Mae O’Hagan (whose book The New Normal is scheduled for a May 2020 release) is discouraged that gender equality is so many years away. She argues that it’s because the global system of power at its core is broken.  Even when women are in power, which is proportionally rare on a global scale, they deal with a system built by the patriarchy. O’Hagan’s essay lays out ideas for how to fix what’s fundamentally flawed, so gender equality can become a reality.

Ideas include investing in welfare; reducing gender-based violence (which is mostly men committing violence against women); and strengthening trade unions and improving work conditions. With a system that’s not designed to put women down, the world can finally achieve gender equality.

“Invisibility of Race in Gender Pay Gap Discussions” – Bonnie Chu

The gender pay gap has been a pressing issue for many years in the United States, but most discussions miss the factor of race. In this concise essay, Senior Contributor Bonnie Chu examines the reality, writing that within the gender pay gap, there’s other gaps when it comes to black, Native American, and Latina women. Asian-American women, on the other hand, are paid 85 cents for every dollar. This data is extremely important and should be present in discussions about the gender pay gap. It reminds us that when it comes to gender equality, there’s other factors at play, like racism.

Bonnie Chu is a gender equality advocate and a Forbes 30 Under 30 social entrepreneur. She’s the founder and CEO of Lensational, which empowers women through photography, and the Managing Director of The Social Investment Consultancy.

You may also like

13 Facts about Child Labor

Environmental Racism 101: Definition, Examples, Ways to Take Action

11 Examples of Systemic Injustices in the US

Women’s Rights 101: History, Examples, Activists

What is Social Activism?

15 Inspiring Movies about Activism

15 Examples of Civil Disobedience

Academia in Times of Genocide: Why are Students Across the World Protesting?

Pinkwashing 101: Definition, History, Examples

15 Inspiring Quotes for Black History Month

10 Inspiring Ways Women Are Fighting for Equality

15 Trusted Charities Fighting for Clean Water

About the author, emmaline soken-huberty.

Emmaline Soken-Huberty is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon. She started to become interested in human rights while attending college, eventually getting a concentration in human rights and humanitarianism. LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and climate change are of special concern to her. In her spare time, she can be found reading or enjoying Oregon’s natural beauty with her husband and dog.

NCERT Books

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Civics Chapter 4 Understanding Laws

Understanding laws class 8 questions and answers civics chapter 4, civics class 8 chapter 4 ncert textbook questions and answers.

Question 1. State one reason why you think the sedition Act of 1870 was arbitrary? In what ways does the sedition Act of 1870 contradict the rule of law? Answer: The sedition Act of 1870 was arbitrary because according to this Act, the British could arrest and detain any person they wanted.

Question 2. What do you understand by domestic ‘violence’? List the two rights that the new law helped achieve for women who are survivors of violence. Answer: ‘Domestic Violence’ refers to the injury or harm or threat of injury harm caused by an adult, usually the husband, against his wife. The injury may be caused due to physical beating up the female or by emotionally abusing her, which includes verbal, sexual or economic abuse.

The two rights that the new law helped achieve for women who are survivors of violence includes :

• The right of women to live in a shared household. Women can get protection order against any further violence.
• Women can get monetary relief to meet their expenses including medical costs.

Question 3. Can you list one process that was used to make more people aware of the need for this law? Answer: Public discussion.

Question 4. From the story board given in text book pages 46, 47 and 48, can you list two different ways in which people lobbied Parliament? Answer:

• Debating and
• submission of demand.

Question 5. In the following poster, what do you understand by the phrase ‘Equal Relationships are Violence Free’? Answer: Equal relationship means both husband and wife have equal rights in the family. Neither of then can suppress each other. Such relations can be violence free because both husband and wife care for each other.

• Hunger strike

Question 7. Write in your own words what you understand by the term the ‘rule of law’. In your response include a fictitious or real example of a violation of the rule of law. Answer: ‘Rule of law’ means all laws apply equally to all citizens of India irrespective of casting religion, sex, poor or rich. No one is above the law, not even the President of India. No one can be arrested for no crime he or she has done. Any violation of law has a specific punishment. A person is punished according to the type of crime he or she has committed. Examples of violation of the ‘rule of law’.

• A two wheeler driver has to wear a helmet. But we often see public violating this law.
• Taking bribe is a crime. But we often read in newspapers governments officials taking bribe from the common people.

Question 8. State two reasons why historians refute the claim that the British introduced the rule of law in India. Answer: Historians repute the claim that the British introduced the rule of law in India on several grounds. Some of them are as follows :

• Under the Sedition Act of 1870 any person protesting or criticising the British could be asserted without trial.
• The Indian nationalists played an important role in development of the legal sphere in India.

Question 9. Re-read the story board on how a new law on domestic violence got passed. Describe in your own words the different ways in which women’s groups worked to make this happen. Answer: The government felt the need for a new law when complaints by the victims of domestic violence increased.

• Different forums raised the issue of domestic violence.
• Some groups of lawyers, law students and activists took the lead in drafting the Domestic Violence (prevention and protection) Bill. This draft was circulated in all areas.
• In 2002, the Bill was introduced in the Parliament.
• Some women groups opposed the Bill.
• A press conference was held regarding the above. In this conference a decision to start-on-line petition was taken.
• Many women organisations, National Commission for women made submissions to the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
• The Parliamentary Standing Committee, in Dec. 2002, submitted its recommendations to the Rajya Sabha. It was also tabled in the Lok Sabha.
• Most of the demands of the women’s group were accepted by the Committee.
• At last, a new bill was introduced in the Parliament.
• After being approved by both homes of the Parliament, it was sent to the President for he consent.
• In 2006, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. came into effect.

Question 10. Write in your own words what you understand by the following sentence on page 44-45 : They also began fighting for greater equality and wanted to change the idea of law from a set of rules that they were forced to obey, to law as including ideas of justice. Answer: The arbitrary use of authority by the British pinched the Indian nationalists. They wanted to uproot it in order to bring equality. They wanted to eliminate the colonial laws which were in no way justified to establish the rule of law in the country.

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Violence in relationships: Love shouldn't hurt 

If you feel that someone is abusing you, trust those feelings. Take it seriously.

• Marriage and Relationships
• Physical Abuse and Violence

Sound familiar?

Kevin is walking in the school hallway with his friends and sees his girlfriend at her locker with her friends. When he goes up to her, she gives him a cold look and says loudly, "I don't know why I even bother with you, loser! I guess I just keep you around because I feel sorry for you." Kevin feels frustrated because he doesn't know what he did and embarrassed because his friends saw his girlfriend putting him down.

That kind of humiliation hurts, and it is a big deal.

Jennie and Tyrone lunch in the cafeteria with her friends. They start teasing each other, but then the playing turns to insults. Tyrone sees that Jennie is upset but doesn’t stop. When Jennie gets up and says, “Get away from me, I hate you,” Tyrone says, “Shut up” and slaps her across the face.

That slap is violence, and it is a big deal.

Tony and Emily have been going out for a few weeks, and he is beginning to act like he owns her. He complains when she spends time with her best friend — or anyone except him. He expects her to meet him in the halls between classes, eat lunch with him, let him go home with her after school, and be with him every weekend. Afraid she’ll lose him, Emily begins to cut herself off from her friends.

That kind of possessiveness isn’t love — it is abuse, and it is a big deal.

Christine and Allison are in an intense argument. Christine gets madder and madder, until she finally grabs Allison, shakes her and shoves her against the wall. Later, Christine apologizes, saying, “I’m not proud I lost my temper, but you really pushed my buttons. You should know better than to get up in my face like that, because you know I get too angry to control myself.”

That kind of behavior — the shoving and then blaming someone else for the behavior — is violence, and it is a big deal.

Alfredo and Maria, who have been going out for a few weeks, are making out. Maria has been clear that she doesn’t want to go any further than kissing, but Alfredo becomes aggressive, disregarding her request to slow down and back off. He forces her to have intercourse, later telling her she was a tease and asking for it.

That kind of sex is rape, and it is a big deal.

Love shouldn’t hurt like this

It’s wonderful to be in love. It’s exciting, romantic and fun, and you feel like nothing can go wrong. Sure, like the love songs say, love hurts sometimes. You worry, you wonder if the person you love really loves you, or if he or she is cheating on you. But knowing that love hurts doesn’t mean you should expect to get hurt — to be put down, slapped, embarrassed in front of your friends, pushed, yelled at, forced to have sex if you don’t want it, controlled by, or afraid of the person you’re going out with.

Getting hurt like that isn’t love. It’s dangerous. It’s violence. It can happen to anybody, even if you’re smart or popular or strong or sophisticated. And it doesn’t matter who you’re seeing. It happens to girls and to boys. It happens in same-sex relationships.

At first, if it happens to you or to a friend, you might not get what’s going on. You’re thinking, “I can handle this. I can make it stop”; of “There’s no black eye. I’m not getting pushed down a stairway.” “I shouldn’t take put-downs so seriously.” Maybe you’re thinking, “He only gets jealous because he loves me.” “She only slapped me to show attitude.” “She won’t love me if I don’t do everything she wants, when she wants it.” “To show my love, I should want to spend every spare moment with him.”

Or maybe you do get it. You know things aren’t right, but you feel alone. You’re ashamed to tell your friends. You’re afraid the explosions and jealousy will get worse if you tell anyone. You’re afraid to tell your parents because they might make you break up. Maybe you also are afraid of losing your boyfriend or girlfriend. Maybe you think it’s worth it to put up with anything just to have someone special in your life.

Every relationship has problems and upsets.

That’s just part of life. But if you see patterns of uncontrolled anger, jealousy or possessiveness, or if there is shoving, slapping, forced sex or other physical violence — even once — it’s time to find help.

Think about this. Imagine that your best friend is going with someone who thinks and acts that way. Would it seem okay? Would you want them to stop hurting each other? Would you treat your best friend this way?

You have the right to be treated with respect and to not be harmed physically or emotionally by another person. Violence and abuse are not acceptable in any relationship.

Love shouldn’t hurt like this.

What’s the first step in turning the situation around?

Take it seriously. Listen to yourself. If you feel that someone is abusing you, trust those feelings. Take it seriously.

What’s the second step?

Take care of yourself. You’re too valuable to settle for love that hurts. Don’t stay silent — find support and help.

Believe it — it’s happening

Nearly one in 10 high school students will experience physical violence from someone they’re going out with. Even more teens will experience verbal or emotional abuse during the relationship.

Between 10 and 25 percent of girls between the ages of 15 and 24 will be the victims of rape or attempted rape. In more than half of those cases, the attacker is someone the girl goes out with.

Girls are not the only ones who are abused physically or emotionally in relationships. Boys also experience abuse, especially psychological abuse. Boys rarely are hurt physically in relationships, but when it happens, it’s often severe. Boys also can be pressured or forced into unwanted sex, by girls or by other boys.

Violence happens in same-sex relationships, too. When it does, gay and lesbian teenagers often don’t know where to turn for help. If they are not comfortable telling people that they’re gay, that makes their situation even harder.

Often a relationship doesn’t start out violent, but the violence starts after the two people have known each other for a while. The one big exception is forced sex (sometimes called “date rape” or “acquaintance rape”). Forced sex can sometimes happen the first or second time two people go out, especially when one person has very little dating experience and is afraid to say “no.”

If you think something is wrong, it probably is. You may feel anxious, have trouble sleeping or experience a change in appetite or weight. Your body may be telling you that something is not right—pay attention to these signs.

Why does it happen?

Violence is so common that sometimes it seems like the normal thing. But it’s not. It’s something we learn — and something we can change.

To understand why relationship violence happens, start by thinking about some of the situations you deal with every day.

Learning the rules of love

When you first begin to go out with someone seriously, you have new and unfamiliar experiences. You start to discover society’s rules for dating and relationship behavior. In addition, you are trying to figure out how to impress someone who is really special to you and how to be yourself in a relationship. You see all kinds of images of what relationships are supposed to be like — but how do you know which ones are the right ones to follow? It’s hard to ignore other people’s examples of relationships — for example, if your mother and father don’t show respect for each other. But you can decide for yourself what sort of relationships you want to have with your friends and your boyfriends or girlfriends. You can learn to have a healthy relationship and be loved and treated well by someone you care about. Violence is not the way to do it. Respect is.

Stereotypes that hurt

In every culture, people have certain ideas about what it means to be a man or a woman. These ideas are called stereotypes. When you first start going out seriously, stereotypes can get you really confused about how you or the person you’re going with ought to behave.

Boys often have the idea that it’s a “guy thing” to act tough and to treat girls like property, like they own them. Guys often try to get their friends’ approval by acting like they don’t care about anything or anyone. Even a guy who likes a particular girl might show off for his friends by treating her badly or acting like she’s been put on earth just to have sex with him.

Girls often accept the idea that it’s a “guy thing” to push girls around, and so they should learn to go along with it. Girls also may believe it’s a “girl thing” to try to figure out and do whatever will keep their boyfriends happy. So, they may feel that they have to do only what the guy wants, or they may put up with the guy ignoring them, treating them badly around other guys, being really possessive, or being violent or abusive.

Both girls and boys often have the idea that boys can’t control themselves when it comes to sex. They may believe that if a man forces a woman to have sex against her will, she was probably leading him on in some way.

The violence around us

Violence is all around us — on television, in movies, in music videos, in computer games and even in our schools, neighborhoods and homes. People get into fights on the street, on buses, and in malls and use every kind of threat just to get their way. Drivers shout at and even shoot at each other. Television and movies show buildings and people being blown to bits. Bench-emptying brawls break out regularly on hockey, baseball and football fields. Schools around the country use metal detectors and security guards to protect students from outsiders and from each other. And even at home, parents resort to violence to express their feelings to each other — and sometimes to their children.

Personal pressures

Some social and personal situations are hard for anyone to handle, but they are especially hard when they affect teenagers. These personal pressures can contribute to abusive or violent behavior in relationships and to accepting that kind of behavior from a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Violence at home. When children see a parent being abused, they often grow up thinking that name-calling, screaming or hitting is normal between people in love. Children in violent homes often get the idea that it is acceptable to threaten, intimidate, bully or hit another person to get their own way.

Cultural beliefs. Teenagers’ cultural and ethnic backgrounds affect their relationships. Some teenagers come from cultures in which people don’t date someone unless they’re going to marry that person, so they may not let their families know they are going out with someone. In some cultures, loyalty is such an important value that a teen in an abusive relationship may decide not to ask for help. Also, teenage girls who believe they can’t do much with their lives because of their family’s or culture’s rules, or because of discrimination or poverty, may place their hopes for the future on finding someone to love and take care of them. Abuse may seem like a small price to pay to escape a life without hope.

Being lesbian, gay or bisexual. Teenagers who are lesbian, gay or bisexual face special pressures. When under a lot of stress from the outside world, some gay or lesbian teens may respond by getting angry at the person they’re going out with. Even if victims decide they want help to stop the violence, they may not be able to get their friends, their teachers or other adults to listen and understand what they’re going through. If they haven’t told anyone else about their sexual orientation, finding help also means taking the risk of coming out.

Having a disability. People who have disabilities often face a higher risk of violence of all kinds, especially if they are less able to defend themselves or to report abuse. Any behavior that intentionally harrasses, teases or takes advantage of a person with a disability is abusive. That includes such acts as keeping something out of reach of a person who uses a wheelchair, making it hard for someone who uses hearing aids to hear you or deliberately trying to confuse someone with a learning disability.

Getting pregnant. Pregnancy is a vulnerable time that often leaves a teenage mother-to-be feeling alone, dependent, helpless and condemned by parents, teachers and friends. If her boyfriend is abusing her, she may not tell anyone because she fears losing him, doesn’t want to face more disapproval from her family or fears her baby will be taken away from her.

Drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Drinking alcohol or taking drugs does not cause violence, but it can have unpredictable effects: It can lower inhibitions or change perceptions of what is really going on. Even one drink is enough for some teens to say or do things they regret. Alcohol and drugs also cause people to misread situations — to see a come-on when there isn’t one, or to see only friendliness in a situation that could lead to rape or other violence. Drugs and alcohol often are used as excuses for abuse: “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I was out of control.” Being drunk or high is never an excuse for hurting someone.

Getting sexually involved with an adult . Young teenagers sometimes find themselves involved in sexual relationships with persons much older than they are. Although you may have romantic feelings for someone five or 10 years older, even if both of you consent to having sex, you should know that the older partner is committing a crime called statutory rape. Also, some adults beat or otherwise seek control over their young teen lovers. A sexual relationship where an adult dominates and controls a young teen should never be confused with love.

When you’re ready to change the situation

Hurting someone is never a sign of love. When a relationship is violent, the people involved need to either make the relationship work without violence or get out of it. You don’t have to settle for an abusive relationship, and you don’t have to continue to behave in abusive ways. Both of you deserve better.

People often need help to get out of abusive relationships. There are lots of reasons why breaking free can be hard.

From a very early age, we get the idea that having a romantic relationship is the most important thing in the world and is worth any sacrifice.

Going out with someone can be a status symbol, a way to feel more secure, or a way to break into a new circle of friends.

Some people just don’t like to be alone. They may feel that any relationship is better than no relationship.

Many teenagers don’t want to ask their parents for help. A girl whose boyfriend has slapped her might be afraid her parents won’t let her go out with him or with anyone if they find out. A boy’s parents might not approve of his girlfriend’s influence and take away his car keys. The parents of a lesbian, gay or bisexual teen might see one violent relationship as proof that all same-sex relationships are unhealthy.

Don’t think the violence and abuse will just stop.

Violent behavior won’t disappear on its own. One or both of you may have wrong ideas about relationships, expressing anger, what to expect from each other, what you deserve from someone you love. Usually, both of you need support and help to make a change. Being hurt by someone that you care about can make you feel weak, worthless, helpless and alone. Turning to drugs or alcohol is not a good way to handle the situation — it will not make the abuse disappear or feel more bearable.

Start by talking to someone. A counselor, a coach, a teacher, a parent, a doctor, a minister or rabbi, or a close friend can help you get an objective opinion of the situation. They may also have some good ideas to help you stop the hurting and start talking to each other about what you really want and need in a relationship.

Then take some action!

If you are the one getting hurt

If a person who claims to love you also threatens, intimidates or injures you, that person has some wrong ideas about love and isn’t worth your time. If you can’t love someone without also feeling afraid of him or her, you’re better off getting out of that relationship.

Assault is a crime. If you are afraid that someone you’re going out with may hurt you badly or if he or she already has, don’t hesitate to call the police. In many states, teens who have been threatened or harmed can get the same restraining orders and other protections as adults.

The most important thing you can do is take care of yourself. As serious as the situation may seem, there are always alternatives to having a relationship with someone who hurts you. Demand to be treated with respect. You’re worth it!

Make sure you’re safe. Even if you haven’t decided yet whether to leave the relationship, you can decide to be safe. Take some time to think about ways you can take yourself out of a dangerous situation the next time it occurs. For example, you can screen your phone calls, see your boyfriend or girlfriend only in a public place with other people around or find a friend to stay with if you need to. Thinking through a plan of action can help you feel more in control of a situation so that you can take the next step.

Get support. One of the most common forms of relationship violence is isolation — keeping you from spending time with your friends. If someone you’re going out with controls your free time, you start to feel like you have nowhere else to turn. You aren’t as likely to hear the support of friends who want you to leave the relationship. This is the time you need that support most. Talk to a friend, a teacher, a counselor, anyone who will support you as you stand up for yourself. Knowing that you don’t have to rely only on yourself can give you the courage you need to break free. If the first person you talk to doesn’t give you the support you need, try someone else. Don’t give up!

Demand respect. Point out the ways you’ve been hurt physically, sexually and emotionally to the person you’re going out with. Say that it’s a big deal to you and that you want it to stop, now. This can be a hard step for many reasons. The person may deny the abuse, get furious and threaten to hurt you, your family, or himself or herself if you try to leave the relationship or tell anyone else about the problem. Or the person may get really sweet and remorseful, crying and promising never to hurt you again, only to return to the same old patterns later. Encourage the person you’re going out with to find help in dealing with anger. Face facts though: Most people won’t make that change, even if they really love you. You can’t change them. And as much as you might want to help the person you care about get over the abusive behavior, you have to think of yourself first.

Find help. Just because this is your relationship doesn’t mean you should try to solve the problem on your own. A boyfriend or girlfriend who is hurting you already doesn’t respect you in the way you deserve. Talk to an adult — a teacher, counselor, coach or friend — who will stick with you. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s about getting the support you deserve and making sure your boyfriend or girlfriend gets the message: Abuse is serious, and you deserve better.

If you are the one doing the hurting

For your own sake and for the sake of the person you love, get help. The problem of hurting people when you’re angry or frustrated or jealous is not going to go away on its own. Even if you honestly think you’re sometimes justified in your actions, you need to talk over this behavior with someone who can give you some new ideas about how to handle your feelings.

Drinking alcohol or using drugs does not make you hurt someone. It can have unpredictable effects, though, and can change the way you view situations. You can never use drugs and alcohol as an excuse for abusive behavior. You should make it a reason to go for help for substance abuse.

Nobody is ever justified in hurting someone else to get their way. You’re not going to get what you’re looking for — love, respect, kindness, affection, a happy time with someone who loves and trusts you — unless you learn how to deal with your frustrations in a way that is not hurtful to others. You’re not a bad person — just someone who needs help to stop a bad behavior. You can learn new ways to deal with your anger, to fight fair, to communicate and to give and get love in relationships. Don’t let shame or fear stop you — talk to a parent, teacher, religious leader, doctor, nurse, psychologist or guidance counselor today.

How can I help my friend?

Seeing a friend in a violent relationship is painful. You might want to help but don’t know what to say or do. You might be afraid of getting involved in someone else’s problem. Or maybe you haven’t seen the violence or abuse, and the person your friend is dating seems so nice that you wonder how much of the story to believe.

If you’re worried, say something. If you’re concerned about your friend’s safety, mention it. People who are being hurt in a relationship often feel they can’t talk to anyone. They may be ashamed. They may think the abuse is their fault. They may think they deserve it. Let your friend know that you’re there, you’re willing to listen, and you’re not going to judge. If your friend isn’t ready to admit that there is a problem, don’t give up. By being supportive and letting your friend know that someone is willing to listen, you’re making it easier to start dealing with the problem.

Listen, support, believe. If a friend asks for your help, take it seriously. Believe what your friend tells you, not the gossip you might hear in the hallway. Your friend is trusting you with very personal and painful information — be a true friend and don’t spread gossip. Give support by making it clear that your friend doesn’t deserve to be abused in any way. Recognize that, as abusive as the person your friend is going out with might be, he or she might find it difficult to leave the relationship, particularly if your friend believes it will make the violence worse.

Call in reinforcements. Your friend might tell you about a violent relationship only if you promise to keep it a secret. Violence and abuse are not problems to be kept secret. Whether your friend is ready to get help or not, find an adult you can talk to. Take your friend along if you can. You can tell the adult that you don’t want to break a promise to keep a secret, but don’t carry this burden all by yourself.

Stopping violence in teen relationships is everyone's responsibility. Boyfriends, girlfriends, friends, parents, adults — all have a responsibility to speak out against behavior that is harmful and to prevent it from occurring.

Here are some people and organizations that can help. You can usually find phone numbers in you local phone book, or ask a counselor at school to help you get connected.

• State domestic violence coalitions
• Local rape crisis centers
• Gay and lesbian resources/centers for teens
• 4H programs in rural areas
• Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline, (800) 799-SAFE
• National Organization for Victim Assistance, (800) TRYNOVA
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, (800) 537- 2238
• Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, (800) 656- HOPE
• Teachers, school counselors, school nurses
• Doctors and other health professionals
• Psychologists and other mental health professionals
• Shelters for battered women

Acknowledgements

The American Psychological Association developed this document with consultation from the Partners in Program Planning in Adolescent Health (PIPPAH), whose members include: American Bar Association’s Center on Children and the Law, and Commission on Domestic Violence, American Dietetic Association, American Medical Association and National Association of Social Workers.

PIPPAH is supported by the Office of Adolescent Health of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The views expressed herein have not been approved by the governing or policy setting bodies of any of the PIPPAH organizations, and accordingly, should not be construed as representing the policy of any of these organizations.

The printing and distribution of this publication is supported in part by Cooperative Agreement No. 5 MCU-11A302-02- from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

Recommended Reading

• Children, Youth and Families Office
• Violence Prevention Office

You may also like

Violence - Essay Samples And Topic Ideas For Free

Violence is the use of physical force to harm someone, to damage property, etc. Essays on violence could delve into the sociological and psychological roots of violence, its various forms including structural, interpersonal, or political violence, and the societal responses to address and mitigate violence. Discussions could also focus on the portrayal of violence in media and its implications. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about Violence you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Stop Gun Violence

Guns in America are ruining our society. Watch the news any day and you will most likely see either a school shooting ora shooting at some type of gathering. For some children going to school is horrifying because they are extremely disturbed by the school shootings that are going in our society. Children as young as kindergarten are learning how to act in the case of a school shooting. Yet, guns are killing innocent people by being able to have […]

Health Disparity and Structural Violence

According to the article, research has demonstrated a broad range of factors that influence the risk of diabetes which is an epidemic problem in the U.S. especially among immigrants. The article however covered three basic fear factors that prevent immigrants from seeking for medical care. Firstly, money concerns and constraints. Based on study, participants discussed how cost limits access to medical care. Without resources, immigrants are unable to obtain the proper health care they need to treat or prevent diseases […]

Political Problem

The rapid development of the modern world in regards to political growth and independence has resulted in political problems and particular political terrorism and state-sponsored violence. Nations together with their governments are faced with security problems caused by the nuclear proliferation leading to misuse of this materials through wars and violence and terrorism. State-sponsored terrorism occurs when government regime forces or oppresses the minority group. Terrorism is the use of intentionally indiscriminate violence as a means to create terror to […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

Corruption and Violence in Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Throughout Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth the themes of corrupting power of power and the relationship of violence and masculinity are most occuring. The character development of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth overall skyrocketed between Duncan's death and Banquo's. The corruption of Macbeth was ultimately the downfall and, having the power he gained through murder was the breaking point/climax of the play. Violence was what lady macbeth brough to the table, telling macbeth over and over again that his masculinity wasn't […]

Research: Health Disparity and Structural Violence

Structural violence on its plays a significant role in determining the kind of health care immigrants into the country seek to outsource. Structural violence based on different nationalities stand at par with caregivers with the immigrants deciding to seek medical attention. This stretches out to the economic, political and social structure the immigrants find themselves in the new country. The researcher finds out that timid individual who is at the lowest level of the Maslow pyramid tend to not seek […]

Gender and Crime

Gender has been attributed as one of the key factors that act a significant role in the crime patterns and the criminal justice systems. For a very long time, it has become a fact that women and men differ in their rates of committing crimes as well as their victimization pattern experience. However, from this report, we find that the victimization risk of violence among the male adults almost equal to that of female adults. My perception, however, is different […]

Faith Harper Domestic Violence Case Study

Violence Question 3~The Return/Supervised Visits1. Investigate the child protection process in your local state and county. The Texas county law demands that anyone who believes that a child is neglected or abused should report to the law enforcement organization, Child Protective Services organization of the Texas Section of Family and Protecting Services. The law gives mandate and power to CPS to investigate any report given to protect all children (Puplampu & Codjoe 2001). According to the Texas law, it defines […]

Growing Problem of School Violence

School Violence has been something that has changed the way we experience school. School violence has been something that's been going on for a long time. School violence has been happening around the world and has just changed the way our safety is at school. School violence is very dangerous and very deadly. In this case school violence may refer to school shootings, stabbings, bullying, sexual harassment , fights and or any harm that causes harm to anyone in the […]

The Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Abstract This paper discusses the effects that childhood sexual abuse has on children. It states the basics and statistics of sexual abuse in children in our society. The immediate symptoms and signs of childhood sexual abuse are discussed as well as long term emotional effects, long lasting physical effects and psychological disorders due to sexual abuse. The treatment of childhood sexual abuse is also discussed to show how positive resources can help victims of sexual abuse. Introduction In the United […]

Domestic Violence: the Effect it has on Children

Growing up, children need a safe environment. A home where they can feel secure, and have a sense of stability. Where parents love and protect their children. A home free of violence, and when things go wrong in the outside world, home is a place of comfort and support. But for over 1.5 million children in the United States, this is not the case. Every year, hundreds of millions of children in the United States experience one parent violently assaulting […]

Impact of Violence and Bullying in Nursing Shortage

Nurse bullying is not limited to victimizing the new nurses. Bullying behavior is a mechanism learned and a decision. Some new nurses may notice the bully behavior and accept it in hopes of fitting in or feeling included. Cliques may shape on nursing floors which may be a catalyst for nurture bullying. Cliques offer assistance a bully stow away from their activities and pick back up. This is usually one of the reasons why working environment bullying may be a […]

About Black Lives Matter Movement

The fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Constitution are inherent for all. There is no question that all people (blacks, Latinos, Indians, or white) were created free and equal with certain inalienable rights. This is a universally accepted principle. Segregation and racism against minorities in this country have been widely discussed, and prominent figures have taken a stand asking people to join in the fight for equality. This stand addresses the significance of black lives. However, contrasting opinions on […]

Misogyny and Violence in Othello

William Shakespeare's play “Othello” makes it clear that women have been vulnerable to male slander and assault for ages. Othello is a story of domestic abuse and male violence. Male violence remains a tragedy for many girls and women. Many victims of intimate partner violence will recognize their experiences in this play. The terrifying transformation of a beloved into an aggressor, the closing off of escape routes, the urgent assertion of fidelity. The #MeToo movement opens up a new way […]

Black Lives Matter against Violence

Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals said Dr Martin Luther King. Dr King was fascinated by Mahatma Gandhi's campaigns of nonviolent resistance , in 1954 He even spoke about non violence in the protest of The Negro people of Montgomery. Therefore, I agree that Nonviolent protests are indeed effective to enact social change in a fact that protests always comes with a […]

Solutions to Gun Violence

Firearms are one of the most debated issues in the United States. On the one hand are the people who demand and require more strict control in the possession and distribution of guns, and on the other side are the people who pressure the government to keep the laws as they are. Buying a gun in this country takes less than an hour. It is very sad how an individual can purchase a gun easily. It is unhappy because some […]

Domestic Violence and the Physicological Affects

Domestic violence is presented throughout all the United States, whether the people of society recognize it, or it is under the radar and not seen. Domestic violence can be distinct in many ways because there are several diverse types of domestic abuse. Domestic violence are behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control the other. Partners may be married or not married, heterosexual, gay or lesbian, living together, separated or dating (Siemieniuk, 2010). Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, […]

Three Problems of the Criminal Justice System and how to Fix them

The criminal justice system has an important role in society to maintain order and to ensure that law is equal and fair; no matter age, ethnicity, race, sex, or social economical status. Unfortunately, this is not true within the current judicial system. Racial discrimination, youth incarceration, and health related infirmities result from incarceration (Simonson, 2017). Three Problems of the Criminal Justice System and How to Fix Them There are many problems that plague our current criminal justice system. The problems […]

Gun Violence and Gun Control

Gun violence in America is a never-ending series of tragedy after tragedy, mass-shooting and the one of the constant social problem in United State. Many innocent lives have been taken to gun violence from Sandy Hook elementary, Pulse nightclub in Orlando, 2017 Las Vegas, Columbine High School, and all of that violence has been increasing. The Second Amendment, the right of the people to bear arms, has given the individual to own a gun, but many have abused the power […]

Do Video Games Promote Violence?

The Internet is rife with articles about the potentially harmful consequences of play. Psychologists and parents have been arguing the pros and cons of this topic for decades now namely whether video games encourage violence, social isolation and obesity, or on the other hand, promote cognitive growth, perception, care, memory and decision-making. Questions flood our mind making it near impossible to truly answer that question: Can a video game truly promote a violent glimpse into a future reality? Summarized below […]

Is Violence Media Good for Kids?

Children usually learn better from what they see than what parents or teachers teach them. Even though, parents usually tell your children that violent media is not good for them, they should not try to play it, and it has to be forgotten completely, but some of them still try to play it, and many of them has been addicted to violent games. In the article "Violent Media is Good for Kids", the author Gerard Jones argues that bloody videogames, […]

Violence in the Outsiders

In 2015, Elizabeth Thornton surveyed people to figure out how often people misjudge others based on appearances. Thornton’s survey shows that seventy-five percent of people will misjudge one other person per month. In S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders, greasers are being misjudged by Socials constantly. Many Socials are considered snobbish and unkind. First, Cherry Valance, a Soc, gains the trust of the greasers and ignores the standards set in her social class. To continue, Ponyboy Curtis thinks Randy Adderson is like […]

Why Youth Join Gangs?

The youth have been the most likely age group in gang recruitment all over the world. The problem of youth street gangs has endured the test of time despite measures taken to control the growth of bands. Because youths are ambitious and have a lot of unaccomplished goals, the window of opportunity presented by groups seems to be the choice of many (Sanders, 2017). The problem, however, is that teams are associated with violence, crime, drug abuse and all other […]

Sexual Violence in the Military

The Army needs a big cultural change to effectively combat sexual assault. Every Soldier needs to be treated equally with respect and dignity. Soldiers should not be afraid to speak up and correct others regardless of grade or position. Everyone needs to be aware of techniques of dealing with sexual harassment and assault. We as leaders need to work on building a climate of accountability and trust. Everyone needs to motivate others to learn more about sharp and how to […]

Violence against Women and Children

Violence against women and children is seen in one in three women. There are different types of violence that can be defined towards women, but it is mostly physical and/or sexual. Other types of violence include mental and emotional. This violence is mostly experienced by an intimate partner. Not only does this violence and abuse have an impact on the women, it also has an impact on their families and communities (WHO, 2018). Violence against women begins early in life […]

Macbeth Downfall in the Context of Violence

The context of violence can be interpreted in many ways. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, violence is either viewed as courageous or psychologically destructive. In the story, figures of witches come to the character Macbeth consulting him of prophecies, raising his curiosity and his ambition, which eventually lead to his downfall. Macbeth's attempt to cover his journey to fulfill these prophecies, which includes becoming king of Scotland, involves increasingly desperate acts of violence. The theme of violence is central to the development […]

The Teachings of Non-Violence by Mahatma Gandhi

Imagine a war-torn society where “around 70,000 people have been killed since 1990; another 10,000 have gone missing after being arrested” (Peer). This is the current state of Kashmir, a small state in the North of India. The partition of India occurred in 1947, in which many people were segregated by their religious affiliations to either the Hindus or the Muslims. The Hindus were allowed to remain in India, but the Muslims were rushed to evacuate to what is now […]

The Brain of a Psycopath

Psychopathy refers to a complex condition that encompasses affective and interpersonal traits like lack of behavior control, guilt, remorse, lack of empathy promiscuity and glibness (Kiehl). A lot is known about psychopathy assessment however, little is known about the associated brain disturbances. It's a severe mental disorder and believed to affect about 1% of global population (Kiehl). This paper discusses three areas of psychopaths brain including amygdala, the prefrontal cortex and extended paralimbic structures. Psychopaths have minimal activity both in […]

Domestic Violence in Zora Neale Hurston’s their Eyes were Watching God

In Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie faces obstacles throughout her life and ultimately learns to grow from them. Hurston portrays love, dominance, independence, discrimination, and abuse in her novel. Hurston uses domestic abuse story. During the 20’s women were not treated fairly nor with respect. Janie’s first marriage to Logan Killicks was arranged by Janie’s grandmother who valued financial security and respectability. In Janies marriage, Logan treated her with love and respect for about a year […]

Gerard Jones’ Biased Evaluation of Violence in Media

In the essay "Violent Media Is Good for Kids", Gerard Jones is arguing that violent media is more beneficial than harmful to children. In his essay, Jones explains how it is important for children to have a medium in which they can express their feelings in, instead of repressing them deep within themselves. Jones maintains that children need an outlet to release feelings that they tend to suffocate within themselves, because society has made rage and other feelings such as; […]

Fighting against Gang Violence

A gang is known as a group of individuals with define leadership and internal organizations that identify or claim control over territory. Also known as an organized group of criminals, gangs engage in illegal and in some occasions violent behavior. Gangs vary from prison gangs, motorcycle clubs, ethnic and organized crime gangs to local and national street gangs. In the academic journal History of Street Gangs in the United States they state that "Three main immigrant groups entered the Northeast […]

Related topic

Additional example essays.

• What is the Importance of Professionalism?
• Benefit of Playing Video Games
• What A Streetcar Named Desire lost in the film
• A Class Divided
• Gender Inequality in Education
• Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
• Analysis of "The True Cost" Documentary
• Discrimination and Prejudice in Frankenstein
• Colonism in Things Fall Apart
• The short story "The Cask of Amontillado"
• Beowulf and Grendel Comparison
• The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junk Food

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers