Prior research shows
mothers in violent relationships are often faced with an internal conflict: while they want their child to grow up with an involved father, they also want to ensure that the father is a positive and healthy role model for their child.
Although most mothers reporting abuse have no relationship with the father shortly after birth, a substantial number remain
in violent relationships characterized by regular support and involvement, cohabitation, and in some cases, marriage.
In adulthood, CSA victims often continue to deal with mental health problems, are prone to
involvement in violent relationships, and women are 2 to 3 times more likely to be sexually assaulted.
They argued that this negativity would then spill over into the dating relationship (e.g., more conflict and less trust), and, in turn, increase the likelihood that the kids become
involved in a violent relationship.2 The general thinking is illustrated below:
Interestingly, nonhuman primates subjected to early abuse and deprivation also are more likely to
engage in violent relationships with their peers as adults.134 as in humans, males tend to be hyperaggressive, and females fail to protect themselves and their offspring against danger.
Other evidence shows that while some
mothers in violent relationships were struggling with parenting, other mothers seemed to compensate for the violence by becoming more effective parents.25 Therefore, the effects of maternal IPV on child health outcomes may be attenuated if mothers are able to maintain supportive caregiving in this context.
Because victims understand the extent of the harm that their abusers will likely inflict upon their pets if left behind, many victims
remain in violent relationships.
Data17 also suggest that mothers who are
in violent relationships often act violently themselves, either as initiators of the violence or in self - defense.
You can't disclose that you are
in a violent relationship and make the move to leave when you are living in the same house as the person who is violent towards you.
Because victims understand the extent of the harm that their abusers will likely inflict upon their pets if left behind, many victims will remain
in violent relationships.
These studies usually find that even if some of the abused children grow up to form violent relationships with a spouse, the majority of children who experience early abuse do not wind up
in violent relationships.