This document summarizes a research paper on how domestic violence can affect the psychological development of children. The paper introduces the topic, presents the thesis that exposure to domestic violence can negatively impact children's social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development. It then discusses how the author obtained supporting evidence from studies and journals. The paper outlines the study design which will use surveys to compare children exposed to domestic violence to those who were not exposed and measure how it relates to violent behaviors. In conclusion, the author provides personal experience growing up in a home with domestic violence and how it impacted their social development.

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Commentary
By
Kenneth Chinakwe
8-16-2011

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Introduction
The point of this opinion paper is to spread the message that domestic violence
victimizes individuals of all types and colors. Domestic violence is not limited to certain
groups of people. Domestic violence is a serious and controversial issue because it is a
growing problem in our country and it seems to mainly affect the mental growth of
children.
A research paper can be a very difficult thing to do if one does not have interest in the
subject matter. A research paper can be very time consuming and exhausting if the
elements needed to formulate are unavailable or difficult to obtain. However one can
manage if they are able to organize all of the necessary data. Before the study can be
performed, it would make conducting the research paper easier by proposing an idea to
the audience about what exactly the research will be about, why the research is important,
and how one will go about obtaining the data for the research. This would be in the form
of a research proposal. The proposal will basically get the reader interested in the study.
Thesis
Domestic violence can possibly affect the psychological development of children and
adults. In order to research these finding, I was able to obtain information from these
journals that supported my research question. For example, “A wide range of children’s
developmental outcomes are compromised by exposure to domestic violence. This
exposure would include social, emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and general health
functioning” (Wolfe, 2008).

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After further research, I was also able to obtain useful information that would oppose my
research question. For example, “Domestic violence, more than any other criminal act ,
includes a wide range of behaviors, making it difficult to measure” (Buzawa, 2003).
Some of the studies were either of qualitative method, which included case studies, or
quantitative, which gave statistics that compared abused subjects to non-abused subjects.
I have learned that domestic violence does vastly affect the psychological makeup of
most individuals especially in children. Children who are exposed to domestic violence
are more likely to develop emotional problems. This study is important because it will
help create awareness of the problems that children will face when exposed to domestic
violence.
Arguments
The variables being measured in this study are violent behavior compared to positive
behavior. The subjects being surveyed will be victimized children of domestic violence,
and children who have not witnessed domestic violence. Thus the correlation of
domestic violence and violent behavior will be measured. Each child involved in this
Study will give her or his own feedback about their experiences with domestic violence
and whether or not the violence has affected their social network with other children.
The procedure that will be used to conduct the study on the children will just be
questionnaire or survey method. This way the children can accurately and freely give
their opinions on the subject matter. There are also legal issues associated with most
social businesses. I would make sure to conduct an Inform and Consent session with the

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children and parents so everyone is aware of the purpose of the study. This will protect
the researcher, the children, and the parents.
Support
Earlier I mentioned that I was able to obtain useful information to help support my
thesis. In the first journal by David Wolfe, Wolfe explains how a child’s innocents or
development can be compromised because of domestic violence. I was also able to
locate further support for my research by Katherine Kitzmann and Candace Kruttschnitt.
Kitzmann explains how children can be affected negatively by witnessing domestic
violence. “There is increasing evidence that children who witness domestic violence are
at risk for a range of psychosocial problems. These problems may inhibit social
development” (Kitzmann, 2005). Kruttschnitt gives further information on why and what
causes most of us to be abusers our selves. “Individuals who were victims’ of physical
abuse or an abusive family environment are more likely to become abusers then
individuals who experience no physical abuse in their developmental years”
(Kruttschnitt, 1987). I believe this because I myself grew up in a home with domestic
violence. Growing up in such a household has taken it tow on me. I am now 31, when I
look back on everything; I admit that I had social issues. I was angry all of the time, and
I could not maintain any relationships with girls because I was to shy to be my self. The
one thing that stood out the most was my attitude. I had a short fuse, a very bad temper.
I would get mad over the smallest things. Why was I upset all of the time? Looking
back, I must conclude that it had to do with the domestic violence I was exposed to in our
family home. All I could do at the time was watch in disbelief.

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I remember being so young and scared to do anything. Being exposed to it so early in my
life took its tow on me. It is too bad that my parents did not go to a seminar for this back
then or else I would have been better off. Or at least according to Kruttschnitt, would
have been better off than one who is actually exposed to domestic violence.