Why is domestic violence a problem in society?
Societal acceptance of domestic violence dates back to the Middle Ages, when the phrase “rule of thumb” was first coined. It was permissible for a man to beat his wife provided that the stick he used was no thicker than the width of his thumb. There was little focus on domestic violence as a social problem until the 1970s.Effects on SocietyIt is estimated that domestic violence costs our country between $5 billion and $10 billion annually. The Inter-American Developmental Bank categorizes these costs four ways: direct costs, nonmonetary costs, economic multiplier effects and social multiplier effects.Direct CostsThese include funds spent on medical treatment, police services, social services, prosecutions and prisons. Shelters and safe houses for the abused also drain budgets. The U.S. Conference of Mayors conducted a study in 1998 that revealed that in 46 percent of cities surveyed, domestic violence was the No. 1 cause of homelessness.Non-Monetary CostsThese include the draining of v
