DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE Title: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
1. Defines the problem and delineates the purpose of the paper
1. Discusses the prevalence of the problem
2. Examines causative and contributive factors
1. Presents a discussion of the impact of domestic violence and substance abuse on family life.
D. Sociological Understandings of the Problem
1. Delineation of the explanation of the problem offered by Conflict Theory
2. Delineation of the Functionalist Analysis viewpoint
3. Delineation of the Symbolic Interactionalism explanation
1. A formulation of conclusions based on reviewed literature.
Buzawa and Buzawa (2002) define domestic violence as the use of intentional emotional, psychological, sexual, or physical force by one family member or intimate partner to control another. Violent acts are said to include verbal, emotional, and physical intimidation; destruction of the victim's possessions; maiming or killing pets; threats; forced sex; and slapping, punching, kicking, choking, burning, stabbing, shooting, and killing victims. The authors note that spouses, parents, stepparents, children, siblings, elderly relatives, and intimate partners may all be targets of domestic violence. Further, in many of these cases, the perpetrator of the violence is a substance abuser, most frequently an a