How Does an Abusive Relationship Affect a Family?
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Non-Physical Abuse
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Although it is not commonly identified in the family structure, verbal abuse can result in corrosive tendencies between family members that dissolves the foundation healthy families are built upon. Verbal abuse is often dismissed by those who are performing the action but for those who are victim of verbal abuse, it can wreck their self-esteem. Young children who are particularly vulnerable to verbal and other types of non-physical abuse can suffer from tremendous bouts of low self-esteem due to the destructive form the abuse takes on in their lives on their sense of accomplishment. Adults can also be affected from lowered self-esteem in their lives when exposed to non-physical abuse as they are less likely to be motivated to succeed in their careers and tend to play the background when it comes to taking charge of a situation.
Culture Shock
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The family members who experience abuse often have to deal with a culture shock when operating outside the home environment. A culture of lies acts as a smoke screen to hide what is truly going on inside the home is built up to protect loved ones. Many times the abused subject in a family lies to protect a loved one, feeling a sense of guilt or obligation to keep him from getting into further trouble. The truth is that in these situations, the abused subject is often too afraid that no one will be able to intervene and stop the abuse effectively. Children who go to school may wear clothes that are out of season to hide bruises or scars and be made fun of which serves only to lower their self-esteem further. Society often turns a blind eye to the clues of these situations and allows them to mature to an even unhealthier state.
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Intervention
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A family member that has been subject to abuse is not liable to stand up for himself without intervention or support. Many times the lines of communication are severed because the abused member is too afraid to give a differing opinion of how he feels to his abuser as this may knowingly trigger more abuse of some sort. It is when these warning signs are noticed by other family members or close friends that intervention is often made. Although intervention into these situations is critical, often times it can be just as destructive as the abuse itself if not handled in the proper manner. The victims of abuse may still try to protect those who are abusing them making it difficult to make a case against them. There are also times when some abuse can be corrected through counseling instead of the disruption of the entire family structure, which often leaves children in the care of foster parents or the state. No matter the type of abuse in the family structure, it needs to be assessed quickly and dealt with accordingly in order come up the most fitting solution.
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