Lesson 2: Effects of family violence on academics, emotions, and relationships
Learning Objective
The learner will study the overall effects of family violence on students and how this negatively influences their academic experiences.
Before You Begin:
Watch the following video: ReMoved
- Think about what the little girl is thinking
- Think about her fears
- Think about her responsibilities
- Think about her loneliness
- Think about her relationships
- Think about how you could help her
Effects of Family Violence on Relationships
Relationships with family members, peers and positive adult role models oftentimes suffer as the result of children being exposed to family violence. Anti-social behavior is typical and the child may pull away from relationships because there is no support at home (Cousins & Callary, 2012). Cole, Eisner, Gregory, & Ristuccia (2013) claim a victim's language and communication skills may be lacking which would negatively affect their relationships. This would cause communication with peers and adults to be difficult and students may shy away from such interactions. In addition, UNICEF (2006) states that social development can be damaged because of abuse as well. Family relationships will also suffer because of the lack of time spent together in settings that may involve abuse. Bernstein-Yamashiro, & Noam, (2013) report that students often eat two or fewer meals per week as a family and teens and parents are further separated resulting from rarely spending time together.
Effects of Family Violence on Academics
Unfortunately, a student's academic performance also begins to falter as a result of family violence. Students can't concentrate (Ward, 2013) and can have issues with truancy (Baker, 2002). “Sudden and extreme changes or extreme changes in performance,” (Crosson-Tower, 2003) are typical and result in decreased grades and difficulty catching up. Cole et al. (2013) report students have difficulty learning new verbal information, problem solving and analyzing, determining cause and effect relationships, viewing another's perspective, and paying attention in class. Elaborating on inability to concentrate in school, Baker (2002) says that students are easily distracted because they think about problems at home.
Effects of Family Violence on Emotions
Read the following article outlining the effects of violence on children: Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
This quick article is very informative in dissecting student emotions and why they have the emotions and reactions they do.
Tasks
- Go to the website, take the ACE quiz and read about what your score means: The ACE Quiz- What it does and doesn't mean
- According to your ACE score, are you at higher risk for health problems?
- Are there students in your classroom that might be at risk because of their ACE score?
- Answer the previous questions under the Discussion tab at the top of the page.
- Complete the Google Form at the following link. Answers are short answer. Lesson 2 Quiz
Moving On
Once you have completed Lesson 2 and feel confident, move on to Lesson 3: Methods to help students cope
Lesson 1: What is family violence? Signs of trauma
Lesson 2: Effects of family violence on academics, emotions, and relationships
Lesson 3: Methods to help students cope
References
Baker, L. L. (2002). Children exposed to domestic violence: A teacher's handbook to increase understanding and improve community responses. London, Ontario: Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System.
Bernstein-Yamashiro, B., & Noam, G. G. (2013). Teacher-student relationships: A growing field of study. New Directions For Youth Development, 2013(137), 1526.
Cole, S. F., Eisner, A., Gregory, M., & Ristuccia, J. (2013). Helping traumatized children learn. Boston, MA: Massachusetts Advocates for Children.
Cousins, M., & Callary, M. (2012). Domestic Violence: An Important Social Issue for Schools. TEACH Journal of Christian Education, 3(1), 10-13.
Crosson-Tower, C. (2003). The role of educators in preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect.
UNICEF. (2006). Behind Closed Doors: The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children [Brochure]. West Sussex, United Kingdom: Author.
Ward, D. (2014, April). Dealing with the effects of domestic violence on pupils. Retrieved October 26, 2016, from www.eani.org.uk/_resources/assets/attachment/full/0/41603.pdf