Field Work Example

Field Work Example Field Work â€" Assignment Example > Homelessness and Domestic Violence against Women in Australia: Literature ReviewDefinition of domestic violence and homelessness There are debates in the research community regarding the most appropriate definition of domestic violence. These debates have been informed by the fact that domestic violence bears close resemblance to other forms of violence (Wilcox, 2006). In addition, definition of domestic violence by justice systems differs from one country to another. The different definitions offer varying, and sometimes contradictory and or overlapping definition of this concept. Nonetheless, the various definitions have been adopted in research literature and provide a basis for systematic inquiries into this important social issue. For the purpose of this literature review, domestic violence is defined as any form of abuse of power and privileges perpetrate by one partner in the context of an intimate relationship (Rollins, Glass Perrin et al, 2012). Homelessness refers to a situation where individuals lack suitable accommodation or habitation. Homelessness is characterized by individuals living in places that are not fit for human habitation, in transitioning accommodations in emergence shelter or in institutions of temporal residence. According to Galano, Hunter and Howell (2013), domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness in Australia. This occurs when one partner attempts to assert financial, physical, social emotional or psychological control, forcing the other partner to move out of the relationship. Although domestic violence takes different forms, the most common ones are sexual and physical assault, social and emotional abuse, economic deprivation and threats of intimidation. When women leave abusive relationships, they often have nowhere to go, which forces them to be homeless at least for a while. Statistics indicate that at least 50% of all homeless children and women in Australia are victims of domestic violence. Theoretical fra meworks on domestic violence and homelessness A review of literature on domestic violence shows that diverse theoretical models have been adopted to explain the relationship between domestic violence and homelessness. Feminist, psychological sociological and systems theories have been recognized in an attempt to explain violence in intimate relationships. The psychological perspective views domestic violence as a medical problem, implying that abusive men suffer from mental illnesses that cause them to adopt violent behaviors. In effect, the psychological perspective reduces abusers’ accountability for the homelessness (Chamberlain, Johnson Robinson, 2014). Among the various psychological theories that have been examined, the social learning theory has been consistently cited in domestic violence literature. This theory suggests that human behaviors can be learned by observing and emulating others to avoid punishment or get rewards. With regards to the motivations for domestic v iolence, social learning theory posits that violent behaviors are acquired during childhood by observing parents, movie characters and violent people in society. As children grow, they internalize the violent behaviors and start to act violently towards their spouses when they become adults. Research shows that children from abusive relationships are more likely to be abusive as adults, which invariably results in homelessness (O’campo, Daoud, Hamilton-Wright Dunn, 2016). Studies have shown that although the psychological perspective can correctly explain some aspects of domestic violence, it offers a limited explanation of all patterns of domestic violence. Heaven (2009), for example, found that not all domestically violent men exhibit violent behaviors in other social contexts such as the workplace. Other studies show men with normal states of mind can be violent towards their spouses (Chamberlain, Johnson Robinson, 2014). These findings have led researchers to discredit psy chological perspective as being too narrow and insignificant in explaining the relationship between homelessness and domestic violence.