The social effects of gender-based violence are often better understood when we look at the effects of such violence on children. Children need healthy role models. Inappropriate role models negatively affect them in the present and future. Children who witness gender-based violence in their home have more likely to be violent and acquire that role in their adulthood than those who have not witnessed those situations.
Men who physically assault women are more likely to assault their children either physically or psychologically, their The need for power and control over family members often prevents or blocks the proper or healthy development of children. children. In this Psychology-Online article, we tell you how gender violence affects children.
When there is gender violence, children are affected in different ways, they witness certain events in their home, either as direct and indirect witnesses of violent behavior:
- Being attacked by the person who assaults his mother or by both
- Being accidentally assaulted in an attempt to intervene
- Witness the violence and suffer psychological effects
- Receive a negligent treatment due to domestic violence and its effects
Research has shown that the insecurity and stress experienced by children who experience gender-based violence not only has immediate consequences, but also interferes with the long-term child development.
Witness any type of gender violence at home it is very stressful for children who are also deprived of their fundamental needs for safety and comfort and grow up in an atmosphere of fear. For example, children feel unprotected, responsible or guilty, they may even want to interfere in an episode and be hurt. When violence is very constant, the consequences can be very traumatic[1].
Witnessing or experiencing violence has various effects on boys and girls[2]. These experiences can affect the emotional, physical or cognitive development of the child and in the case of chronic violence, very constant or with very young children, the damages can be very traumatic. Some research has found that between 50% and 70% of children exposed to gender violence present post traumatic stress disorder.
How gender violence affects children
Depending on the age of the child, symptoms may include sleep disorders, loss of concentration, symptoms depressive, enuresis, problems at school, developmental delay, eating disorders, self-injurious behaviors, as well as drug and alcohol use.
The reactions of children who experience violence and their strategies to overcome the trauma depend, among other things, on the intensity and frequency of the violence. Some children may be very scared or angry and aggressive. Sometimes older children show some degree of responsibility and they try to protect their mother and little brother.
Some research that has focused on gender differences has shown that girls can be more likely to feel guilty about the violence, while children feel a greater sense of threat.
Studies indicate that children who have witnessed gender-based violence are more aggressive and fearful and tend to have more anxiety, depression and other trauma-related symptoms compared to children who have not witnessed violence.
Children who grow up in houses where there is violence may feel responsible for the violence, presenting feelings of guilt because they think that sometimes the violent episodes have occurred because of them and they have not been able to stop them. Also, they can live with high levels of anxiety They are constantly on the alert for another episode of violence or for fear of being abandoned. Additionally, they may feel guilty or confused for loving the perpetrator of the violence.
Children can be accidentally injured in incidents of gender-based violence, and older children can be injured by trying to protect their mother. One study indicated that the more serious the gender-based violence, the more likely it is that the older child will try to defend her mother. In some cases, children can be used as spies or manipulators of the victims, they become a tool for the abusive parent. This places children in a very difficult situation with negative effects.
Babies are also affected by gender-based violence when the violence takes place during the woman's pregnancy.
In the future, they may be at higher risk for alcohol or drug use, experience cognitive problems or symptoms related to stress, and difficulties in their studies.
Children of women victims of gender violence
The effects of witnessing this violence appear to diminish over time, as the violence progresses. ending and that they no longer witness these episodes, but in some cases they continue throughout adulthood with Symptoms of depression, anxiety and trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Some studies indicate that children who have witnessed domestic violence, in adulthood, they may be at greater risk of being perpetrators of violence. Research also shows a correlation between child abuse and gender violence.
Once we know how gender violence affects children, it is important to talk about the studies of the impact that this has on these children when they reach adulthood:
- One study indicates that frequent violence in childhood either at home or at school is associated with an increased risk of perpetration of violence as an adult.
- Men who report having been bullied at school by their peers are more likely to physically or sexually abuse their partner in adulthood. Therefore, bullying can be a risk factor.
- In addition, having suffered sexual or physical abuse in childhood, exposure to gender-based violence in home and participation in crime with or without violence are also other possible factors of risk. Although some studies indicate that the strongest predictor is bullying.
Currently, more studies are needed to discern the mechanisms and roots of the causes of the behaviors violence as power and control, as means to prevent the perpetration of violence at different times vital. Although it is true that the consequences of family violence on children, there's still a long way to go.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
