Anyone who has seen a family destroyed by domestic violence can wonder what would make a person act that way.
Many perpetrators of domestic violence strike out without warning. This type of unexpected behavior is relatively common.
There are some warning signs of domestic abuse that everyone should be aware of, though. So, what are the main causes of domestic violence?
What could be the reasons for domestic violence in an otherwise healthy marriage? Are the causes of domestic abuse valid?
Well, domestic violence is a systematic pattern in behavior to instill dominance, superiority, and surveillance in the relationship.
The factors of domestic violence are unjustified unless done in self-defense. In order to save yourself from facing the situation, know the 7 main causes of domestic violence in marriage.
1. Mental problems
Women who are victims of severe physical abuse are likely to suffer from mental illness. The illnesses included anxiety, depression, alcoholism and drug dependence, antisocial personality disorder, and schizophrenia. It is not exactly clear if mentally ill women tend to be abused, or if abused women develop mental illness. Nonetheless, it appears likely the two unfortunate situations occur together, leading to one of the major factors that contribute to domestic violence.
2. Poverty and unemployment
People in dire financial straits are more likely to be involved in domestic violence. Half of homeless women and children are victims of domestic violence. One major cause of this trend is the fact that abuse victims in poverty often lack the means to escape the situation. They may not have access to legal help or be able to afford their own housing. Abusers usually take steps to keep their victims in poverty as well. For example, an abuser may sabotage a job opportunity for their victim in order to keep the victim dependent on the abuser.
3. Education
Around the world, education makes a huge difference in the rates of causes of family violence. Each additional year of schooling is associated with an increase in awareness and a woman’s ability to ward off unwanted sexual advances. Women with some secondary education lower their risk of domestic violence. This is possible because women with more education are more likely to see themselves as equal to their abusers and to have the means to secure their independence and avoid any factors of family violence.
4. Self defence
In the list of causes of domestic violence, self-defense can also act as an obvious factor. Many spouses can resort to violence to avoid any outbreak from their partner or act in response to their partner’s abuse. That means, if one partner is using any form of violence, another can mirror the same. On the other hand, the other partner can also take a step to introduce domestic violence if they feel a profound sense of relationship control from their partner. In order to balance out the power, this might seem to them as a last resort.
5. Alcoholism
The use of alcohol and drugs can also lead to the occurrence and be the causes of domestic violence. Excessive drinking and drugs can be significant contributors to and causes of spousal abuse. This can lead to the ongoing pattern of abusive behavior by one partner. Alcoholism can lead to the formation of patterns, and if it is not controlled in time, it can lead to a constant need to maintain and control the relationship by the partner affected by the vice.
6. Suspicion of infidelity
The spousal relationship is meant to be based on trust and faith. However, at times, when the trust is put to question, it can act as the causes of domestic violence in marriage. If a partner feels that another is not preserving the sanctity of marriage and is cheating on them, they might think of violence as the solution. The suspicion of infidelity can make the partner bitter and lead to opportunity based crime and violence.
7. Young parents
Parenting at a young age when the person is yet to learn the skills can lead to-
- aggression
- anger
- frustration, and
- depression.
This is possibly tied to other factors, because young parents are more likely to be single, struggling economically, or have lower educational achievement.
