| If there ever was any doubt in your mind where adult | | | | - Jealousy, possessiveness and even abuse are |
| domestic violence has its roots-put your inquisitive mind | | | | "romantic".Historically other studies and surveys |
| at rest. It starts with our kids!! In a recent study | | | | support these findings. This serves as pretty solid |
| partnered by Teenage Research Unlimited and the Liz | | | | evidence that teenagers grow up in a society that |
| Claiborne Corporation, teens 13-18 were surveyed on | | | | frowns on adult domestic violence, yet it appears they |
| the frequency of dating violence in their lives.The study | | | | serve their apprenticeships in high school learning the |
| revealed some shocking statistics and facts about the | | | | nuances of how to abuse. Do they learn on their own |
| teen dating scene. Among many conclusions are that | | | | or do they learn from their abusive parents? It is a |
| a significant percentage of teens not only are victims | | | | very difficult question to answer nevertheless the |
| of dating abuse but also they accept it as normal and | | | | cycle must be broken. Today's youth represent the |
| that they feel pressured to have and keep | | | | best chance to make a change.Here's how to start. |
| relationships particularly if it is a "serious" one.Teens in | | | | Educate and Prevent.Know Some Warning Signs. Is |
| these serious relationships report by nearly a 2 to 1 | | | | there a history of violence with previous partners? Are |
| margin more abuse, controlling and even violent | | | | there threats of violence, use of force? Is there cruelty |
| behavior compared to other teens.The study also | | | | to animals? Are traits of sudden anger, jealousy, verbal |
| showed that: | | | | abuse, controlling behavior, unpredictable mood swings |
| - 20% in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped | | | | present? All or any of these can be predictors of |
| or pushed | | | | future behavior and definite warning signs.Set |
| - 30% report being worried about their physical safety | | | | Standards. Only allow double dates for the first few |
| - 64% report controlling behavior | | | | dates. Know exactly what the plans are-who, where, |
| - 55% compromise their values to please their partner | | | | what, when-be very specific. Remember: Trust but |
| - 61% reported having a partner who made them feel | | | | Verify. You love your children. It is your responsibility to |
| bad or embarrassed about themselves | | | | set the standards for their actions.Develop a Safety |
| - 25% report being in a relationship where their partner | | | | Plan. In an emergency know who to call: police, relative, |
| put them down or called them names | | | | parents, friend, neighbor, pastor-have a calling card |
| - 29% said they were pressured to have sex they do | | | | handy. Know who you can trust to talk to. Develop a |
| not want | | | | buddy system at school so you are never alone. |
| - 50% of young women worry that their partner will | | | | Change your route to school if necessary. Carry some |
| break up with them if they do not agree to engage in | | | | non lethal self defense items-pepper spray, personal |
| sex.It is no wonder that this problem exists with | | | | defense alarms, etc. Trust your instincts.Above all be |
| teenage male belief systems that include: | | | | prepared. Knowing what to look for and keeping an |
| - Controlling their partners | | | | open mind may end up saving you a lot of pain.Jack |
| - Possessing their partners | | | | Krohn started Security Solutions to help people |
| - Demanding intimacy | | | | prevent crime. His website |
| - Physical aggression is the "masculine" thing to | | | | unique, hard to find products for self defense, home |
| do.Teenage female beliefs include: | | | | security and professional high tech surveillance |
| - There's no resource for help | | | | equipment for homes and business. |
| - Abuse is normal because their peers are abused | | | | |