A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study The family is universally recognized as the primary agent of socialization and the most fundamental unit of society. It is within the family that a child has his or her initial interaction with the world, making it a critical foundation for personal development. Psychologists have long established that a child’s brain is initially like a blank slate, and the experiences written upon it—whether positive or negative—play a significant role in shaping the child’s overall development. Interpersonal dynamics within the family, especially between parents, greatly influence a child’s emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Studies have increasingly identified domestic violence as a major factor affecting family wellbeing. In recent times, domestic violence—particularly spousal abuse—has emerged as a widespread and pressing social issue, disproportionately affecting women. While domestic violence remains a complex and sometimes contentious concept to define and measure, its implications are far-reaching. According to Amnesty International (2005), domestic violence encompasses a range of abusive behaviors including physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse occurring between individuals who are or have been in an intimate relationship, regardless of gender. Violence against women, in particular, also includes rape, human trafficking, genital mutilation, forced marriage, and other forms of systemic abuse. Women are often subjected to various forms of domestic violence within the home. Physical abuse may manifest as slapping, beating, suffocation, or the use of dangerous objects. Sexual violence, another deeply troubling form, includes forced vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse, as well as coercion into watching or participating in unwanted sexual activities. Any act—whether verbal, physical, or sexual—that seeks to violate the physical or emotional integrity of a woman, regardless of her age, race, or background, constitutes gender-based violence. Dutton (1992) defines physical violence as any intentional use of force that causes bodily harm or pain, while sexual violence involves any non-consensual sexual activity imposed on a victim. Research findings consistently show that domestic violence leads to serious health consequences for women, including physical injuries, miscarriages, disabilities, and in many cases, death. The U.S. Department of Justice statistics from 1994 indicated that approximately 92% of reported domestic violence victims were women. In Nigeria, the prevalence of domestic violence has become a significant concern. According to WOPADOVI (Women Against Domestic Violence, 2014), this form of violence is steadily threatening the stability of many families. It undermines the dignity and social value of women, contributing to gender inequality and systemic disempowerment. Although the Nigerian Constitution guarantees fundamental rights for all citizens—such as the right to dignity and protection from inhuman treatment under Section 34, and the right to freedom from discrimination under Section 42—domestic violence continues to persist. This ongoing violation of rights is attributed, in part, to gaps in legislation and the ineffective enforcement of existing laws. It is important to note that domestic violence transcends social, economic, religious, and educational boundaries; it can occur in any household, regardless of status or background. 1.2 Statement of the Problem Socialization refers to the lifelong process through which individuals acquire knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors necessary for functioning in society. This process begins within the family, where children first learn to speak, walk, and interact—making it the primary context for early development. The behaviors modeled by parents significantly shape a child's understanding of acceptable conduct. When a child is exposed to domestic violence—particularly where the father abuses the mother either physically, emotionally, verbally, or sexually—it may result in significant developmental harm. Such exposure can trigger both immediate and long-term physical, emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges. The developmental trajectory of a child may be disrupted, affecting their self-esteem, academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and worldview. For instance, children who regularly witness domestic abuse may grow up believing that violence is an acceptable method of conflict resolution, thereby perpetuating a cycle of abuse. Research by Dodd (2009) underscores the psychological toll of domestic violence on children, suggesting that exposure to such violence during formative years compromises emotional security and impedes mental development. Emotional and behavioral problems such as anxiety, aggression, social withdrawal, and cognitive delays may emerge. These children often struggle with academic tasks, show poor social adjustment, and lack essential life skills such as problem-solving and conflict resolution. Lehmann (1995) observes that in some instances, abusers deliberately perpetrate violence in the presence of their children to inflict emotional trauma on both the spouse and the child. Consequently, such children are at a higher risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition characterized by fear, nightmares, and emotional numbness. Given these concerns, this study seeks to investigate the phenomenon of domestic violence against women and its broader implications on the developmental outcomes of children. 1.3 Research Questions The following questions guide the study: 1.What are the psychological impact of domestic violence on a child? 2.What are the various forms of domestic violence women experience? 3.How has domestic violence against women affected the academic performance of a child? 1.4 Aims and Objectives of Study The primary objective of this study is to examine Domestic Violence Against Women and Its Implications for Child Development. Specifically, to: 1.Assess how the psychology of a child is impacted upon by domestic violence in the family. 2.Investigate the various forms of domestic violence women experience. 3.Examine the academic consequences of domestic violence against women on a child. 1.5 Hypotheses The study developed for testing the following null hypotheses: H01: There is no significant relationship between domestic violence and child’s negative psychological change. H02: There is no significant relationship between domestic violence and child’s poor academic performance. 1.6 Significance This study investigate into domestic violence against women and its impact on children’s development on domestic violence against women on children’s development will bring to the notice of the populace the various forms of domestic violence women are exposed to in the society. The study will also help both governmental and non-governmental organizations to identify these abused families and children, develop strategies to combat domestic violence, and encourage socially inclusive intervention mechanisms in poor neighborhoods. The study will also be of immense benefit to the policy makers to make laws that will prevent such abuses on women and provide a stiff punishment for victims who abuse women. The study further will serve as a reference material to scholars, researcher and students who may carry out further research in this topic or related domain. 1.7 Scope of the Study This study focuses on examine Domestic Violence Against Women and Its Implications for Child Development. It accessed how the psychology of a child is impacted upon by domestic violence in the family, the various forms of domestic violence women experience and the academic consequences of domestic violence against women on a child. The residents of Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State will be used as the focus of the study. 1.8 Definition of Concepts Violence: Violence is the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy. Domestic Violence: Domestic violence is violence or other abuse in a domestic setting, such as in marriage or cohabitation. Impact: the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another. Child abuse: This consists of anything, which individuals, institutions or processes do or fail to do which directly or indirectly harms children or damages their prospects of safe and healthy development into adulthood.