Job Loss and Domestic Violence
If your family has been impacted by the stress of a job loss, you may be struggling with financial obligations, emotional stress, and the frustration of a breadwinner who can no longer provide for the family. All of this can add up to another serious problem in your family: domestic violence.
According to research, when a man loses his job his likelihood of committing domestic violence rises to the tune of 30 percent, and when a woman loses her job her probability of becoming a victim of domestic violence escalates at the same rate. This all came to a head during the pandemic of 2020-21, when the United Nations labeled domestic violence as a shadow pandemic. The study notes that job loss stimulates domestic violence as a result of the shortfall of income combined with the societal judgements associated with being unemployed. Specifically, literature on the topic provides the following insights:
- Because outside options are limited, the power balance in a couple is impacted.
- Gender stereotypes are challenged as a result of earning disparities in a couple, which can be a trigger for some individuals.
- Job loss often means a couple spends more time together, making the opportunities for frustration and violence rise.
- Couples who struggle to reallocate limited income face stress that can lead to violence.
- Uncertainty about what lies ahead, experiencing a sense of failure, and fear of judgment by friends and family can lead to frustration and violent outbursts.
- Black men may face greater anxiety related to the possibilities for reemployment due to correlation in terms of violent episodes.
- While there is a correlation between unemployment and domestic violence, there are also cases in which unemployment actually decreases incidents of domestic violence in homes, perhaps as former perpetrators choose other outlets for their frustrations, or as they revel in being away from work they hated.
- While unemployment compensation can ease some of the financial stress, it can also lead to higher levels of shame, and levels of domestic violence are equivalent among those receiving benefits and those who do not.
- When benefits run out, men who had previously collected them are more likely to commit violence than their counterparts who never received benefits.
- Policies that address both the income loss and that assist one in returning to work would be the most effective intervention to reduce domestic violence.
Protecting Your Rights
The experienced Miami domestic violence attorneys at The Law Office of Julia Kefalinos are dedicated to helping domestic violence survivors by focusing on their legal rights. To discuss your situation, schedule a confidential consultation in our Miami office today.
Source:
phys.org/news/2021-10-unemployment-substantially-domestic-violence.html
