TEEN DATING VIOLENCE
more severe , relatively rare forms of violence in dating and intimate partner relationships . Instead , supporters of this perspective use data on injuries and in-depth interviews with victims and perpetrators .
We believe , however , that applying either of these adult perspectives to adolescents is problematic . Although both views of adult intimate partner violence can help inform our understanding of teen dating violence , it is important to consider how adolescent romantic relationships differ from adult romantic relationships in several key areas .
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How Teen Dating Violence Differs : Equal Power
One difference between adolescent and adult relationships is the absence of elements traditionally associated with greater male power in adult relationships . Adolescent girls are not typically dependent on romantic partners for financial stability , and they are less likely to have children to provide for and protect .
The study of seventh , ninth and 11th graders in Toledo , for example , found that a majority of the boys and girls who were interviewed said they had a relatively “ equal say ” in their romantic relationships . In cases in which there was a power imbalance , they were more likely to say that the female had more power in the relationship . Overall , the study found that the boys perceived that they had less power in the relationship than the girls did . Interestingly , males involved in relationships in which one or both partners reported physical aggression had a perception of less power than males in relationships without physical aggression . Meanwhile , the girls reported no perceived difference in power regardless of whether their relationships included physical aggression .
It is interesting to note that adults who perpetrate violence against family members often see themselves as powerless in their relationships . This dynamic has yet to be adequately explored among teen dating partners .
Lack of Relationship Experience
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A second key factor that distinguishes violence in adult relationships from violence in adolescent relationships is the lack of experience teens have in negotiating romantic relationships . Inexperience in communicating and relating to a romantic partner may lead to the use of poor coping strategies , including verbal
and physical aggression . A teen who has difficulty expressing himself or herself may turn to aggressive behaviors ( sometimes in play ) to show affection , frustration or jealousy . A recent study in which boys and girls participated in focus groups on dating found that physical aggression sometimes stemmed from an inability to communicate feelings and a lack of constructive ways to deal with frustration .
As adolescents develop into young adults , they become more realistic and less idealistic about romantic relationships . They have a greater capacity for closeness and intimacy . Holding idealistic beliefs about romantic relationships can lead to disillusionment and ineffective coping mechanisms when conflict emerges . It also seems reasonable to expect that physical aggression may be more common when adolescents have not fully developed their capacity for intimacy , including their ability to communicate .
The Influence of Peers
We would be remiss to try to understand teen behavior and not consider the profound influence of friends . Peers exert more influence on each other during their adolescent years than at any other time . Research has confirmed that peer attitudes and behaviors are critical influences on teens ’ attitudes and behaviors related to dating violence .
Not only are friends more influential in adolescence than in adulthood , but they are also more likely to be “ on the scene ” and a key element in a couple ’ s social life . In fact , roughly half of adolescent dating violence occurs when a third party is present . Relationship dynamics often play out in a very public way because teens spend a large portion of their time in school and in groups . For various reasons , a boyfriend or girlfriend may act very differently when in the presence of peers , a behavior viewed by adolescents as characteristic of an unhealthy relationship . For example , boys in one focus group study said that if a girl hit them in front of their friends , they would need to hit her back to “ save face .”
Conflict over how much time is spent with each other versus with friends , jealousies stemming from too much time spent with a friend of the opposite sex , and new romantic possibilities are all part of the social fabric of adolescence . Although “ normal ” from a devel-
16 | Illinois Spring / Summer 2014 | abusemagazine . org