Teen Dating Violence

When most people hear about domestic violence, they think of a husband and wife. However, the pattern of violence frequently begins when people start dating. The dynamics of dating violence are identical to domestic violence. The abuse is a pattern of behavior that a person uses to intimidate and control another person. The abuse is physical, verbal, emotional, financial and sexual and occurs in an escalating violent cycle.

Women between the ages of 16 and 24 who are in dating relationships experience the highest rate of intimate violence. One in five high school girls say they have been physically and/or sexually abused in a dating relationship.

There are several theories as to why teen-dating violence is so widespread. Teenagers are inexperienced in dating relationships and do not yet know how to define a "healthy" relationship. Adolescent males often confuse masculinity as physical aggressiveness, while girls see their boyfriend's jealousy, possessiveness and even physical abuse as "romantic". These messages are often reinforced through television, film, music, and inaccurate advise from peers. These distorted relationship values affect teenage sexual behavior, too.

Warning Signs of Dating Violence

In an effort to gain independence from their parents, most teenage victims are unlikely to tell their parents the abuse is occurring. Therefore, it is important to learn some of the warning signs of abuse.

Some of the common signs that indicate a teenager may be experiencing dating violence:

• Physical signs of injury
• Changes in personality
• Truancy or failing grades
• Emotional outbursts
• Isolation
• Indecision

Some of the common signs a date may become abusive:

• Extreme jealousy
• Controlling behavior
• Explosive anger
• Verbally abusive
• Threatens abuse
• Blames others for his problems and feelings
• Shows hypersensitivity
• Believes in rigid sex roles