How common are abusive relationships?
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Dr. Andrea Pennington answered:It is estimated that 2 million to 4 million US women are assaulted by a domestic partner every year. Twelve million women (1 out of 4 women) will be abused in her lifetime. One study estimated that more than 3 percent (approximately 1.8 million) of women were severely assaulted by male partners or cohabitants over the course of a year, while others indicate the percentage of women experiencing dating violence, including sexual assault, physical violence, or verbal and emotional abuse, ranges as high as 65 percent.
It is estimated that 2 million to 4 million US women are assaulted by a domestic partner every year. Twelve million women (1 out of 4 women) will be abused in her lifetime. One study estimated that more than 3 percent (approximately 1.8 million) of... More -
Dr. Bonnie Lynn Wright of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:An educated guess says abusive relationships are very common. We do not know that for a fact or as an actual number, only a guess. Here's why:
- no common definition of abuse or relationships either
- no consistent way to gather the numbers people do collect across the country
- no way to force people to disclose an abusive relationship
We do know that:
- for 20 or 30 years now, according to national surveys done by a variety of researchers, reported abuse exists in a minimum of approximately 10% of the population both male and female.
- with pregnant women and new moms approximately 35% report abuse.
- reports of abuse increase in times of economic hardship.
- abuse in dating relationships occurs just as frequently as abuse in marital relationships.
- all types of abuse are underreported.
- most people define abuse as physical assault only, adding to the underreporting
- The divorce rate in North America has been just under 50% for decades, implying that abuse is common.
Personal opinion....the key to a long term successful relationship is kindness and mutual respect. These are the antitheses to abuse.
An educated guess says abusive relationships are very common. We do not know that for a fact or as an actual number, only a guess. Here's why: no common definition of abuse or relationships either no consistent way to gather the numbers people do... More -
Yogi Cameron Alborzian answered:The ancient Indian sage Patanjali outlined what is known today as the Eightfold Path. In this system, he outlines eight different steps to be taken to attain a state of oneness with the Creative Spirit. The first of these eight steps is to abstain from five harmful behaviors, and the first of these behaviors to abstain from is violence. Ahimsa, the Yogic practice of nonviolence, teaches us to not just refrain from abusing others, but to refrain from abusing ourselves as well.
Given how nonviolence is one of the five behaviors of the very first step to be taken in the Eightfold Path, and given how it's the very first one of these five behaviors, we can see how common it is to be abusive in one's conduct--and how important it is to refrain from such behavior if we are to live a life of purpose and fulfillment.
This common nature of abuse of course underlines how important it is to abstain from behaving in such a way. When we refrain from abusing others, and, just as importantly, refrain from remaining in relationships in which we are abused, we open ourselves up to far more fulfilling, more enriching experiences in life.
The ancient Indian sage Patanjali outlined what is known today as the Eightfold Path. In this system, he outlines eight different steps to be taken to attain a state of oneness with the Creative Spirit. The first of these eight steps is to abstain... More
