Negative Aspects of Using
Violence to Solve
Problems People who solve problems with violence often become a victim
to their own behavior. Not only are they susceptible to social ramifications of their behavior such as being incarcerated, they are likely to become victims of
violence themselves as is evidenced in the increasing incidences of road rage and drive by shootings. Violent personalities are prone to impulsivity and are likely to resort to acts of domestic violence against their spouses and children as well. The consequences to trying to solve
problems with anger results in a pattern of behavior that will plague the individual and those they love for generations. Typically violent behavior is a result of frustration, isolation and fear. Studies also indicate that, rather than provide relief; explosions or angry outbursts do little to relieve the stress. Further outbursts of anger lead to feelings of embarrassment that lead to a diminished sense of self. Hence this cycle perpetuates itself until for an individual caught in this pattern of behavior, there is no way out.
Children who express anger excessively often do so as a direct result of being exposes to this phenomenon. Researchers suggest that prolonged exposure to violence results in children who lack the proper mechanisms to control behavior (School Violence Report: NEA Vermont) Further these children as a result of the violence they have been exposed to often have characteristic problems with self esteem, helpless, passivity, lack of appropriate problem solving skills and violent and aggressive behaviors, fear and anxiety. (ERIN Child’s Rights Information Network 2005) Additionally disturbing is the fact that the exposure to and expression of violence leads to bio chemical changes in a child’s brain. These alterations to the chemistry of the brain may well result in impulsive and violent outbursts.
Children who cannot solve problems without violence are likely to drop out of school, do drugs, become incarcerated and are likely to have problematic interpersonal skills as an adult. Further there is a correlation between family violence and the incidence of adolescent dating violence that is a precursor to domestic violence in adulthood ( Foshee, Vangie A., Ennett Susan T., Bauman Karl E., Benefield, Chirayath, Suchindran 2005) Hence the patterns of violence continue from one generation to the next. Children who are exposed to adults who cope with problems by becoming violent destroy themselves and those they love.
Rates of domestic violence have escalated in recent years and many of the victims of this behavior may suffer health consequences beyond the bruises and humiliation. For example, The World Health Organization reports that one quarter to one half of victims of domestic assault suffered injuries. Further these women were twice as likely to experience health issues including: mental health problems, dizziness, stress related illnesses. To complicate and compound the issue a full 20% of the women interviewed for this study never previously
reported the abuse ( World Health Organization 2005). Further disturbing is the fact that in some cultures rates of abuse are nearly impossible to calculate, as women victims are highly isolated and social indoctrinated to keep silent.
Violence as a problem-solver is rarely a successful strategy for individuals. This is not only true for social relations, but also in how the violence affects the perpetrator physically, intellectually and emotionally. There is evidence that suggests that people who are prone to violent behavior are often the victims of depression. In particular depression in men is often manifested in this way. Violent people often experience higher blood pressure, reduced immunity, and symptoms of stress and are more likely to be the victim of a violent crime. Additionally low-esteem, impulsivity and aberrant behaviors often occur in conjunction with substance abuse, alcoholism and a suicide rates.
Violence is an ineffective and self-destructive problem solving techniques. That results in further acts of violence as the mechanisms that allow people to find constructive and healthy solutions to solve problems, become eroded. Thoughts made into action enough become habitual. Explosive and violent behavior affects everyone in the community in an endless and tragic cycle.