Domestic Violence: Why Do Women Stay? Essay -- Violence Against Women E

What is battering? why do men batter? Why do women stay? These are all questions that I will answer. I will also offer insight into the minds of victims that may help give a better understanding to the devastating cycle that hides behind the doors of many homes today that is known as Domestic Violence. What is battering? Battering is a pattern of fashion that is used to establish power and control over another person. This control can be obtained through many different avenues. Minimizing, making light of the victims concerns, shift responsibility and laying blame. Isolation, controlling what the victim does, reads and limiting outside involvement all together, even from family. Intimidation, ca apply the victim to feel afraid by using looks, gestures, or actions, such as demonstrating violence in her presence. Emotional Abuse, putting the victim down, calling her names, convincing and making her believe shes crazy, humiliating, depriving her of sleep and vie mind games. Why do m en batter? Battering begins and continues because violence is an effective method for gaining and keeping control over another person. Batterers normally do not suffer consequences for their behavior, which encourages them to keep up their behavior. They get a sense of security when they have control that makes them feel better about themselves. rough of the characteristics of batterers include men that see women as property, they have low self- esteem, they dont take blame for their behavior, and they appear to be very fine and often are seen as a nice guy to outsiders looking in. They often have traits such as extreme jealousy, possessiveness, unpredictable behavior and a bad temper."Why do women stay in violent relationships?" is generally answered with a victim-blaming attitude of abuse. They are often accused of having no character or they must like or need bad treatment, otherwise they would leave. Others may be told that they "love too much" or have "low self-esteem." familiar sense would probably have most rational people thinking in this way. The truth is that no one enjoys being abused, no matter what kindly of emotional state or self-image they may have. Some of the emotions that I experienced in this kind of relationship are isolation, paranoia, shame and embarrassment. As a victim of abuse, I, like many victims, didnt rea... ...feelings to hopefully numb the pain. Yet, I needed to remember the pain in order to keep my strength to refrain from red ink back to my husband. Victims go back to their abuser an average of eight times, this is due to the dependency and the feeling that you cant live without your abuser, which is a belief that is tactfully instilled by the abuser and learned and accepted by the victim. Domestic violence is horrifying, confusing, and disorienting to say the least. With limited support from friends and family and a society that seemingly supports abuse, or rather, punishes victims for leaving th eir abusers. We, as a whole, ask that famous question, Why does she stay? She stays because there isnt a way out.Work Cited1.     Mason, Miles. The ABCs of Divorce Divorce Source. www.divorcesource.com/TN/ARTICLES/mason1.html 2.     Fischer, Kay-Laurel and McGrane, Michael F. Moving Beyond. Saint Paul, MN Amherst H. Wilder Foundation, 1997.3.     Brown, Cathy. Personal Interview. November 17, 2004.4.     McGee, Susan. Survivors Handbook for Battered Women. August 29, 2003.