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economic factors and violence

Economic Factors and Violence: Understanding the Link

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by

Kenneth Keith
in

In Nigeria, lockdowns led to a 130 percent jump in gender-violence cases. Croatia saw a 228 percent rise in rapes in the first five months of 2020. These numbers highlight how economic issues and violence are deeply connected.

Studies show that money problems, like being poor or unemployed, increase violence. This includes violence at home, in the community, and against older people. Being poor often means less education and health, leading to more.

Violence doesn’t just affect the poor. It touches people of all backgrounds. But, those with less money face more violence and worse outcomes later on.

Key Takeaways

  • Economic factors, like being poor or unemployed, link to more violence, including at home and in the community.
  • Being poor often means worse health, less education, and less money later on.
  • Violence hits people of all backgrounds, but the poor face more of it and worse outcomes.
  • Violence hurts the economy too, by reducing work, lowering women’s jobs, and cutting GDP.
  • To fight this, we need many solutions, like community help, money for survivors, and policies for better jobs and money.

Socioeconomic Status and Its Impacts

Socioeconomic status (SES) includes income, education, financial security, and how people see their social class. It greatly affects many areas of life, like health and happiness. In the U.S. and worldwide, health and life quality are becoming less equal because of SES differences.

We need to focus more on why these differences exist and how to lessen them. This will help make society more equal.

SES Affects our Society

Studies show that low-SES kids are more likely to face three or more bad experiences than those from higher SES backgrounds. These early experiences, good or bad, shape our health and chances in life. Bad experiences in childhood are linked to unhealthy behaviors, chronic illnesses, and a lower life potential.

Interpersonal Violence

Violence affects everyone, but low-SES youth face more violence and worse outcomes. For instance, about 40 percent of veterans with PTSD live in poverty. Also, 17 percent of cities say domestic violence is the main reason for family homelessness.

“Exposure to violence during youth has long-term life consequences.”

Childhood Exposure to Violence

Childhood is a key time for growth and development, but many young ones face violence. Studies reveal that 60 percent of American kids faced violence at home, school, or in their communities last year. Even worse, nearly 40 percent were victims of violence more than once, and 1 in 10 faced it five or more times.

This violence can deeply affect kids. Almost 1 in 10 saw a family member hit another, and over 25 percent saw family violence at some point. These events can harm kids for a long time, especially if they also face abuse themselves.

Some groups are hit harder by violence. Boys face more physical attacks, while girls are more likely to be sexually victimized. Black and Native American teens are more likely to experience violence overall. Kids without both biological parents or from families struggling with addiction are also at greater risk.

Statistic Value
Children exposed to violence, crime, or abuse in the past year 60%
Children who were direct victims of 2 or more violent acts 40%
Children who were victims of violence 5 or more times 10%
Children who witnessed family violence during their lifetime Over 25%

Violence in childhood can harm kids in many ways, affecting their health, learning, and future. We need to act to make sure all kids can grow up safely and well.

Adolescent Exposure to Violence

Violence during adolescence can have big effects. Teens who face physical abuse might do worse in school, earn less money, and be less likely to get married later. Seeing violence at home can make teens feel more depressed.

Observing Violence and Family Conflict

Seeing violence in the community can lower a teen’s grades and make them less interested in school. Teens in schools with more bullying often do worse academically than those in safer places.

Community Violence and School Performance

Violence in the neighborhood hurts kids’ grades in math and reading. This shows how violence can affect teens’ school success and overall happiness.

Statistic Source
About one in seven children in the United States are estimated to live in poverty as of 2019 U.S. Census Bureau, 2019a
Children raised in families with low socioeconomic status (SES) are more likely to develop psychopathology in childhood and adolescence than those from higher SES backgrounds Peverill et al., 2021
Low SES is associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing environmental adversities such as exposure to violence, family conflict, parental separation, low cognitive stimulation, and a less predictable environment Rosen et al., 2020; Evans, 2004

Exposure to violence during adolescence can have significant long-term consequences, impacting educational outcomes, mental health, and overall well-being.

Adult Consequences of Violence Exposure

Being exposed to violence can have big effects that last into adulthood. Studies show it can hurt one’s job stability and increase chances of living in poverty or homelessness. Women who face physical assault often struggle to keep a steady job. They might lose their jobs, change jobs a lot, or quit due to abuse, affecting their job security for a long time.

Employment and Job Stability

Violence can really hurt someone’s job life. Women who go through IPV often lose their jobs or can’t keep a steady job for a while. This affects their money and economic health a lot.

Homelessness and Poverty

Violence also links to homelessness and poverty. In some cities, domestic violence is the top reason for family homelessness. Also, about 40 percent of veterans with PTSD live in poverty. Those with PTSD often earn less and work less over time if they don’t get help for their mental health.

“Exposure to violence, such as bullying or cyberbullying, can lead to poor long-term behavioral and mental health outcomes in children and adolescents.”

The effects of violence on adults’ jobs and well-being are huge. We need good help and support to tackle these issues. By knowing how violence affects adults, we can aim for a fairer and stronger society.

Violence Against Older Adults

Every year, about four million older Americans face violence against older adults. This includes physical, psychological, or other types of elder abuse and neglect. Sadly, one in 20 older adults say they’ve been victims of financial exploitation.

More older adults with disabilities are being financially exploited by family or strangers. Living in crowded or stressful homes can lead to elder abuse. Being poor, unhealthy, or having little social support also increases the risk of neglect.

Studies have shown how common violence is for older adults. The rate of financial fraud and scams is between 13% and 21%. A study found 41% of older adults have been victims of financial exploitation.

Being rich or poor affects the risk of violence against older adults. Wealthier seniors are less likely to face violence. Their living situation and education also play a role in violence rates.

Financial exploitation of older adults is complex. Research has found different types of people who exploit them. This shows we need specific strategies to help.

The data shows a worrying trend of violence against older adults, financial exploitation of older adults, and elder abuse and neglect. We need a detailed plan to address these issues. This plan should focus on the social and personal factors behind this problem.

Community-Level Risk Factors

Understanding the risk and protective factors at the community level is key to tackling violence. These factors greatly affect how much and how severe violence is in a community. Knowing them helps us make better plans for safer, stronger neighborhoods.

Community-Level Risk Factors

Some community-level factors are linked to more violence. These include:

  • High rates of unemployment and poverty
  • Limited economic opportunities and job instability
  • Transient populations and high rates of residential mobility
  • Inadequate access to mental health and substance abuse services
  • Presence of gang activity and drug trafficking
  • Poor housing conditions and limited availability of affordable housing
  • Lack of community engagement and participation in positive activities

These risk factors can lead to a violent environment, making communities more at risk.

Protective Factors

Protective factors at the community level help shield people and communities from violence. These are:

  1. Stable and thriving local economy with abundant job opportunities
  2. Strong social cohesion and community engagement in positive activities
  3. Accessible and well-funded mental health and substance abuse services
  4. Safe and affordable housing options for all community members
  5. Positive social norms that promote non-violence and prosocial behaviors
  6. Coordination and collaboration among community agencies and organizations

By focusing on these protective factors and reducing risk factors, we can make communities better places for everyone.

Community-Level Risk Factors Protective Factors
High unemployment and poverty rates Stable local economy and job opportunities
Limited economic opportunities Strong social cohesion and community engagement
Transient populations and residential mobility Accessible mental health and substance abuse services
Inadequate access to mental health services Safe and affordable housing options
Presence of gang activity and drug trafficking Positive social norms and prosocial behaviors
Poor housing conditions and limited affordable housing Coordination among community agencies
Lack of community engagement and positive activities –

By tackling the community-level risk factors for violence and boosting protective factors against violence, we aim for safer, more united communities.

Community-Level Risk Factors and Protective Factors

economic factors and violence

In the United States, research shows a strong link between economic issues and violence. Things like poverty, job instability, and financial stress affect violence rates. This includes domestic, community, and violence against older adults.

Poverty and income gaps make crime and social unrest more likely. During the COVID-19 pandemic, about 10% of women faced domestic violence. This was due to economic troubles and uncertainty. Violence against partners can also harm women’s health for up to 10 years after having a baby.

Worldwide, up to 66% of women face violence from partners in some places like Iran. Research links men’s drinking problems with violence against women. This shows how economic issues, social norms, and violence are connected.

Helping women financially might lower the risk of partner violence. Studies in Bangladesh and Burkina Faso looked at how women’s economic status affects their safety.

It’s key to understand how economic factors and violence are linked. This knowledge helps in making better plans to stop violence. By tackling economic issues, we can make society safer and more equal for everyone.

“Tackling the economic drivers of violence is essential for creating a more just and peaceful society.”

Financial Strain and Intimate Partner Violence

Being under financial stress can make intimate partner violence more likely. Studies show a strong link between feeling financially strained and violence in relationships.

Couples with low financial stress had a 2.7% violence rate. But, those with high financial stress had a 9.5% rate. Also, women often face more violence if their relationship is strained financially.

Over 5% of women in strained relationships reported being victimized again or hurt by their partners.

Subjective Financial Strain

A study found that women in less financially stressed relationships had less than 2% of repeat victimizations. But, women in highly strained relationships had over 5% of such incidents.

Repeat Victimization and Financial Strain

Financial issues might keep women in bad relationships. They might stay if their partner helps financially, even with the risk of violence.

“One in three U.S. women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime.”

Employment and Intimate Partner Violence

Research shows a strong link between employment and the risk of intimate partner violence. Being unemployed or having unstable work can make IPV more likely in a relationship.

Unstable Employment Increases Risk

Studies reveal that IPV is more common when the man in a relationship loses his job. If he always worked, IPV happened in 4.7% of cases. But, if he lost a job, IPV rates went up to 7.5%. And if he lost jobs more than once, it jumped to 12.3%.

Health Impacts and Employment Instability

IPV can make it hard for women to keep a steady job. Women who faced abuse often struggle with unstable work for up to two years after it happened. IPV leads to mental and physical health issues like depression and chronic pain, which can affect their job performance.

IPV victims also feel worse about their health and need more mental health care. They often deal with stress-related problems, emotional issues, and physical health issues like headaches and back pain. These issues can last a long time, making it hard for survivors to hold down a job.

“On average, IPV stalking victims lose 10.1 days of paid work per year, IPV rape victims lose 8.1, and IPV physical assault victims lose 7.2.”

The link between employment, health, and intimate partner violence shows we need better solutions. Policymakers and service providers must work together. They should create programs that help victims financially and emotionally. This can help survivors get back on their feet and prevent future abuse.

Economically Disadvantaged Neighborhoods

Studies have found a strong link between economic hardship and more severe intimate partner violence in some areas. In these neighborhoods, the rate of intimate partner violence is much higher than in wealthier places. Women in these areas face more than twice the risk of being victims compared to those in wealthier neighborhoods.

Severity and Repetition of Violence

Research shows that violence in intimate relationships happens more often and is more severe in poor areas. Women in these areas face a higher chance of being victimized again or getting seriously hurt by their partners. This is compared to women living in wealthier areas, where the rates are lower (6 percent versus 2 percent).

Racial Disparities

Racial differences in intimate partner violence are linked to economic factors. African-Americans and whites with similar economic situations have similar rates of violence. But African-Americans face a higher overall rate of violence because they often live in poorer areas. One study found black youth are 10 times more likely to live in poverty than white peers.

This shows the need for broad, community-focused solutions to tackle this issue. Economic hardship, racial segregation, and high violence rates in some areas highlight the complexity of the problem.

Interventions and Solutions

To tackle the link between economic issues and violence, we need a wide-ranging plan. This plan should include programs that help with money, job skills, and mental health. It should also cover policy changes to fix unfairness and boost job chances in poor areas.

Programs aimed at specific groups, like the elderly, teens, and those left behind, can lessen violence’s effects. For example, giving cash or food without conditions can cut down violence in homes by 19–52 percent. Young women in rural South Africa who got cash saw a 34 percent drop in physical violence from partners.

Also, mixing deep therapy and job training in Liberia cut down on emotional and physical violence by a lot. Adding economic help to gender-focused programs in places like Burkina Faso, South Africa, and Tanzania also lowered violence.

This shows how important it is to tackle economic roots of violence. With help like money, jobs, and mental health care, we can break the cycle of violence and economic struggles.

Intervention Impact
Unconditional cash and/or food transfers 19-52% reduction in women’s experience of violence within their households
Cash transfer for young women (aged 13-20) in rural South Africa 34% reduction in physical intimate partner violence
Psychosocial therapy and vocational skills training in Liberia 37% reduction in emotional IPV, 58% reduction in physical IPV
Economic interventions paired with gender-sensitive programming in Burkina Faso, South Africa, and Tanzania Reduced IPV

By focusing on economic causes of violence and using proven solutions, we can aim for safer, fairer communities for everyone.

Conclusion

This article shows how economic factors like socioeconomic status, financial strain, and job instability affect violence. This includes domestic, community, and violence against older adults. We need a complex plan to tackle these issues and make communities safer and fairer.

To fight the economic causes of violence, we must use community programs, policy changes, and specific help for those at risk. By supporting economic growth, easing financial burdens, and creating jobs, we can lower violence risk. This leads to stronger, wealthier communities.

It’s also key to understand how economic issues hit racial minorities and low-income groups harder. We must make policies and help with an eye on fairness. This way, the most vulnerable can escape violence and economic troubles.

FAQ

What is the relationship between economic factors and violence?

Economic factors like SES, financial strain, and unemployment play a big role in violence. This includes domestic, community, and violence against older adults. Low SES often means poverty, less education, and poor health, leading to more violence.

How does socioeconomic status (SES) impact behavioral and social science outcomes?

SES includes income, education, and financial security. It affects many areas of life, from health to mental well-being. It’s a key factor in understanding many outcomes across a person’s life.

How does childhood exposure to violence affect future outcomes?

Violence in childhood can lead to bad health habits, chronic illnesses, and a lower life potential. Kids from low-SES backgrounds face more violence. Safe, supportive environments help prevent abuse and help kids reach their full potential.

What are the impacts of adolescent exposure to violence?

Violence affects teens by lowering grades and making school less enjoyable. Schools with more bullying have students with lower grades. Violence in neighborhoods also hurts math and reading scores.

How does violence exposure affect adult outcomes?

Violence can make it hard for adults to keep a job. Women who face violence often struggle with stable work. Those with PTSD also earn less and work less over time.

What are the impacts of violence against older adults?

Violence affects millions of older Americans each year. Many face physical, emotional, or financial abuse. Being poor, sick, or lonely increases the risk of neglect.

What are the community-level risk factors for violence?

Violence is higher in areas with more unemployment, poverty, and gang activity. Poor living conditions and lack of support also play a part. But, strong communities with good jobs and support can protect against these risks.

How do economic factors contribute to violence in the United States?

Poverty, income gaps, and poor neighborhoods increase crime and violence. These economic issues lead to more domestic and community violence, including against older adults.

How does financial strain impact intimate partner violence?

Money worries can lead to more violence in relationships. Feeling financially strained increases the chance of violence. Women in these situations face more abuse.

How does unstable employment affect intimate partner violence?

Job instability raises the risk of violence in relationships. Men who lose jobs are more likely to be violent. The more unemployment, the higher the violence rate.

How do economically disadvantaged neighborhoods impact intimate partner violence?

Violence in relationships is more common and severe in poor areas. In these places, violence rates are much higher than in wealthier areas.

What interventions are necessary to address the complex relationship between economic factors and violence?

We need a mix of community programs, policy changes, and support for at-risk groups. Understanding economic causes of violence helps us create safer, fairer communities.

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