The Acceptance Of Violence In The Society Is Linked To The Socio-cultural And Socio-economic Condition

Introduction:

Title: The acceptance of violence in the society is linked to the socio-cultural and socio-economic condition.

Violence can be considered a social phenomenon that has existed in human society for centuries. Human history has witnessed many catastrophes that has been a direct result of various instances of violence.  Hence, it can be mentioned easily, that violence has significant impact on the society (Yllo and Straus 2017). Although, it has to be mentioned that society perceives the aspects of violence, its origin and impact depending on the social structures and understanding. Although, it has to be mentioned that violence is a crucial issue prevailing in society in different forms even in the present day modern society as well. Hence, it is essential for society to revisit the percival of violence and how it affects the trends in violence committed in society as well. This report will attempt to explore violence, its origins and impact on the community with recommendations for sustainable change.

Violence can be defined as the intentional use of physical power or force by an individual against another person, a group of people or oneself, which in turn results in harm or injury to the individual or individuals on whom the torture has been inflicted. However, it has to be mentioned in this context that the regardless of whether the intention is actual or intended, both are considered equally offending violent tendencies. As mentioned by Straus, Gelles and Steinmetz (2017), the instances of violence have been reported to result in various results such as injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development, or deprivation. Considering the global statistical data, it has to be mentioned in this context that in the last couple of decades the rates have reduced. However, the reduction rates are not even anywhere near the expected rates. Elaborating more, as per the data reports from 2013, the total number of deaths due to self-directed violence had been roughly 842000, due to interpersonal violence had been 405000, and due to collective violence had been close to 31000 people. Hence, it can be easily stated that the rate of life loss due to violence is alarming by all standards. Although, a very important aspect that is needed to be mentioned in this context that almost all forms of violence are preventable, which can be translated to the fact that the detrimental impact of the violence, including injury, physical and mental trauma and even death, can be prevented with honest efforts to reduce violence. One essential strategy for which can reduce these frightening rates is to change the perception of violence in the society and build up tolerance (Straus 2017).

Violence: definition and description:

The most common type of violence which also has been reported to have the most notable impact is the self-directed violence which also corresponds to the most detrimental effect. However, the second most type of violence is undoubtedly the interpersonal violence which also leads to a significant detrimental impact on the society. The third main type of violence is collective violence, which causes a large scale impact. The most notable example of violence is embedded in warfare and terrorism (Straus 2017). Although there are various subtypes of violence, these are the three main categories of violence being practised all over the world.

The most critical impact of violence on the world is the injury which depending on the severity can easily lead to fatal consequences for the individuals on whom the violence had been inflicted. However, the physical wounds or torture are not the only type of trauma that the violence victims have to deal with. Another very important aspect of violence that needs to be discussed in this context is the importance of post-traumatic stress disorder and other related mental disorders caused directly by the violence (Toch 2017). The impact of PTSD of mental conditions alike can be long-term on the mental stability of the victims which alters the views of the victims towards life in general.

Even though the impact of violence is scarring, both physically and psychologically on the society, the perception regarding violence is contradictory and regressive in the society (Tatum 2017). It has to be mentioned that the even the modern society of the present day scenario is rigged with a variety of taboos and stigmatization, the aspect of violence is not exempted from it either. Most importantly, the self-directed violence is the most stigmatized in the society which worsens the situation further. It has to be mentioned in this context that the suicidality and self-harming tendencies have been stigmatized for decades and that has contributed to the deterioration of the victims even further. There is mounting evidence that suggests that the stigmatization, bullying and social isolation are key contributing factors that have led to suicidality, the ultimate act of taking one’s life (Kelly 2016).

Along with that, the societal and cultural norms also govern the way the violence is treated or accepted in a society. As mentioned by Nisbett (2018), the variety of social and cultural conventions influence the reaction to violence among the mass. For instance, for families and communities where the children have been brought up in a culture of violence and oppression, the children grow up with an innate tendency to accept violence as a part of their lives. It can be considered as the most important contributing factor to the culture of tolerating violence in the ethnic communities and minorities, especially in socio-economically backward communities. An imperative contributor to the rate of violence tolerating attitude amount ethnic or economically backward communities is the lack of education, awareness, liberating or open-minded perspectives in the oppressed groups, either women or children. The ideation of accepting violence as an inevitable part of life had been ingrained in the mind-set of these under-developed and under-educated communities from generation to generation. As a result, the perception of tolerating violence is intricately linked with the socio-cultural and socio-economic norms and beliefs (Stets and Straus 2017).

Types of violence and its impact:

Summarizing the research done, it has to be mentioned that violence is prevalent, and it is still predominating in the minorities. The perception and awareness regarding violence and how to prevent it is the most important factor that facilitates the violence in these societies as well. Hence, the recommended strategies that I want to recommend focus entirely on enhancing awareness and changing the perception of violence in society, especially for the minorities. First and foremost, education and promotion of the ideation that views violence as a criminal offence, even when performed in a domestic setting is the most critical strategy to implement among the staff (Herman 2015). Another important strategy to address the concern is to arrange for campaigns and workshops, helping the potential victims learn their rights and protection opportunities so that they can understand accepting violence is not the only option available for them. Another fundamental strategy is advocating the need for more focus on educating the target population detrimental impact of violence including the legal aspect to the target population among the staff.

Conclusion: 

On a concluding note, it has to be mentioned that violence is a very important issue in the present day society. There is an imperative need for addressing the socio-cultural norms that buffer the impact of violence as a crime, rather than perceiving it an inevitable part of the day. The report discussed violence as a significant entity in the society, its detrimental impact and the intricate link with socio-cultural and socio-economic norms. The strategies recommended address these socio-cultural and socio-economic aspects of violence in the society effectively and enhance the awareness of the society regarding violence as a crime which should be prevented not concealed.

References:

Herman, J.L., 2015. Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence–from domestic abuse to political terror. Hachette UK.

Kelly, L., 2016. Moving in the shadows: Violence in the lives of minority women and children. Routledge.

Nisbett, R.E., 2018. Culture of honor: The psychology of violence in the South. Routledge.

Stets, J.E. and Straus, M.A., 2017. Gender differences in reporting marital violence and its medical and psychological consequences. In Physical violence in American families (pp. 151-166). Routledge.

Straus, M.A., 2017. Measuring intrafamily conflict and violence: The conflict tactics (CT) scales. In Physical violence in American families (pp. 29-48). Routledge.

Straus, M.A., 2017. Ordinary violence, child abuse, and wife beating: What do they have in common?. In Physical violence in American families (pp. 403-424). Routledge.

Straus, M.A., Gelles, R.J. and Steinmetz, S.K., 2017. Behind closed doors: Violence in the American family. Routledge.

Tatum, B.L., 2017. Crime, violence and minority youths. Routledge.

Toch, H., 2017. Violent men: An inquiry into the psychology of violence. American Psychological Association.

Yllo, K.A. and Straus, M.A., 2017. Patriarchy and violence against wives: The impact of structural and normative factors. In Physical violence in American families (pp. 383-400). Routledge.