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The truth about violent behavior among male and female teenagers: Why do girls also commit violence?
Teen dating violence is physical, sexual, or psychological/emotional abuse that occurs in dating relationships between teens. While intimate partner violence (IPV) among adults has been extensively studied and documented, relatively little research has been conducted on violence in adolescent dating relationships. The root cause of this situation is that adolescents are in a critical period of social and psychological development, so the violence they encounter may lead to various long-term adverse psychological and physiological consequences.
Gender differencesStudies show that men and women report experiencing violence in heterosexual relationships at similar rates, and in some cases, girls may even be more violent than boys.
The literature on intimate partner violence among adolescents suggests that similar rates of reporting violence are reported among male and female adolescents or that within heterosexual relationships, female adolescents are more likely to report perpetration. This phenomenon is unique among teen dating violence because adolescence is a unique developmental state accompanied by sexual characteristics that are significantly different from those of adults. The researchers note that physical equality during adolescence allows girls to assert more power through physical violence, which is less common among adults.
Studies have shown that girls are more likely to engage in IPV in self-defense, while boys tend to engage in more serious violence.
Viewpoints in the debate
There is a common misconception in society that once a young person is labeled violent, they will remain so for the rest of their lives. Such a definition may not only affect the life and future relationships of the perpetrator, but also make it difficult to protect potential victims. Although the frequency of violent behavior in dating relationships is similar among male and female teens, females face significantly higher levels of violence. This has sparked debate about how violence should be assessed based on its “severity” and raised questions about whether all forms of abuse should be considered equally harmful.
Influence of Nature and Environment
Many studies have explored the causes of teenage dating violence in order to guide dating violence prevention programs, and the results show that environmental factors have a more significant impact. Studies have shown that various adverse experiences in childhood are highly correlated with dating violence in adulthood, and the impact of many childhood adversities on violent behavior cannot be ignored.
Some studies have pointed to childhood bullying and abuse as strong indicators of future teen dating violence.
Epidemiology and response measures
The literature on adolescent intimate partner violence has mostly focused on White adolescents, with little research on adolescent same-sex relationships. According to data, nearly one-third of female adolescents have experienced violence from their partners. However, many parents do not consider this to be a problem or lack an understanding of its practicality.
Legal and international responses
Policymakers have an important role to play in preventing teen dating violence in the United States. As society becomes more aware of the problem of youth violence, many states have taken legal measures to address such incidents. Additionally, many national hotlines and organizations are working to raise awareness of teen dating violence and provide necessary support.
Conclusion
The phenomenon of violence among male and female adolescents in dating relationships cannot be ignored. Its root causes involve multiple influences of gender, environment, and culture. We must explore this issue more deeply and think about how, as a society, we can effectively respond to violence among young people to protect their physical and mental health. How should we intervene and educate more effectively in response to such phenomena?
