The Effects of Domestic Violence on Teenagers
Children and teenagers are often the unseen and unheard victims of domestic violence. Estimates suggest that more than three million children and teenagers are exposed to domestic violence in the United States each year, and the effects range from feelings of anxiety to being victims of violence themselves. In addition, some teens who are exposed to domestic violence find themselves repeating their parents' examples in their own relationships.
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Effects
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Studies have found that in most homes where women are battered, children and teenagers also are victims of physical abuse. In addition, youths in these homes are at higher risk for sexual abuse.
Anxiety, Isolation and Fear
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Many teens from homes marked by domestic violence have experienced feelings of anxiety, isolation and fear of abandonment. Many also report feelings of guilt for not stopping the abuse.
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No Adult Models
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For teens, exposure to domestic violence comes at a time when they are beginning to date and form relationships. As a consequence, many of them do not have adult models for healthy relationships and are at higher risk of ending up in abusive relationships, either as abusers or as victims of abuse.
Additional Negative Effects
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In addition, domestic violence has many of the same effects on teens that it has on younger children: loneliness, stress, trouble at school and behavioral problems.
Theories/Speculation
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Some experts suggest that children and teens in homes where domestic violence occurs become "parentified," growing up faster than their peers and taking on the responsibilities of caring for younger siblings.
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