Introduction

This essay discusses the three main causes of domestic abuse.

Main point 1:Alcohol and drugs can cause domestic abuse

-Alcohol does affect the users ability to perceive, integrate and process information. This may increase the risk that the user will misinterpret his partner or anothers behavior. -Consume large quantity of alcohol can increase the users sense of personal power and domination over others. An increased sense of power and control can, in turn, make it more likely that an abuser will attempt to exercise that power and control over another. (Larry W. Bennett, 1997) http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/svaw/domestic/link/alcohol.htm -Like alcohol, other drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opiates (heroin), amphetamines (speed), hallucinogens (acid) and barbiturates (downers) are not known to specifically cause violence, but are likely to put a person in a state of mind where he is to be more irritable or agitated both during use and between uses. Like alcohol, drug users have compromised judgement while under the inflluence. They are not thinking clearly, may over react emotionally and will behave in ways that endanger their life and the lives of others. Some individuals may become out of touch with reality, fearful and paranoid during their use of drugs. http://www.daniel-sonkin.com/articles/alcohol.html - A study of 336 convicted offenders of domestic violence, found that alcohol was a feature in 62% of offences and 48% of offenders were alcohol dependent (Gilchrist et al, 2003) http://www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-violencearticles.asp?section=00010001002200410001&itemid=1275

Main point 2 Psychological and mental issue

- Various theories suggest that psychopathology and other personality disorders are factors, and that abuse experienced as a child leads some people to be more violent as adults. (Kalra, Michelle (1996). Juvenile delinquency and adult aggression against women.) - A child who grows up being abused thinks of that as a way a family functions, and will grow up and repeat the cycle because that is all they know. -Various theories suggest that psychopathology and other personality disorders are factors, and that abuse experienced as a child leads some people to be more violent as adults. -mental health problems do lead to violent behaviour but this is uncontrolled and unpredictable.

- It is estimated that at least one-third of all abusers have some type of mental illness. (Worell, Judith (2001). Encyclopedia of Women and Gender 1. San Diego: Academic Press. p. 183.)

Main point 3 Learned and reinforced

Most domestic violence is caused by learning and reinforcement rather than by biology or genetics. Domestic violence behaviors are learned through observation. Studies have found that nearly one half of abusive men grew up in homes where their father or step father was an abuser. Domestic violence behaviors are learned and reinforced in the family as well as in all of society's major institutions - legal, social, religious, educational, medical and mental health. Male violence against women in intimate relationships is a social problem condoned and supported by the customs and traditions of a particular society. Pornographic videos, magazines and websites are learning grounds which teach that women are unworthy of respect and valuable only as sex objects for men. Music videos and computer games have become an important training source for children and teens. Many of the sex-role messages present men as aggressive males and in control with the value of females restricted to their sexual allure. Boys often learn they're not responsible for their actions. Aggression in boys is increasingly being treated as a medical problem. Boys are being diagnosed and treated with medications instead of identifying that they have been possibly traumatized and exposed to violence and abuse at home. Domestic violence is repeated because it works and because there are frequently no legal consequences. Religious beliefs have often condoned the abuse of women. Religious scriptures from the Bible, the Torah, the Koran, and major Buddhist and Hindu writings instruct women to submit to male domination. The fact the domestic violence is learned means that the perpetrator's behavior can be changed. Most individuals can learn not to batter if there is sufficient motivation for changing that behavior. http://www.mchenrycountyturningpoint.org/causes.html

Conclusion
Conclusively, domestic abuse is caused by some factors such as psychological or mental issue, alcohol or drug influence and learning and reinforcement which will bring many negative effects. The effects of domestic abuse on our society are obviously enormous, but are impossible to measure. We as a society can do all we can to prevent and educate.