Valerie Clark: Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescents: Causes and Correlates

Valerie Clark’s Intimate Partner Violence among Adolescents examines the degree that intimate partner violence occurs in adolescents as well as its causes and correlates. Her book defines intimate partner violence as violent offending or violent victimization, such as intimate terrorism, violent resistance, situational couple violence, and mutual violent control. Furthermore, intimate partner violence can be mutual or one-sided. She also highlights the key factors that cause intimate partner violence and how intimate partner violence is carried out in relationships, including peers, sex, and drug use. Nevertheless, there are many factors that go into an adolescent relationship especially when teens are at a period in their lives where they feel vulnerable and are searching for their true sense of self. The main purpose of the book was to showcase the prevalence of adolescent violence among intimate partners and to identify the factors that seem to cause the problem. It is written for an audience that is curious about adolescent intimate partner victimization and for those who want to address victimization within intimate partner relationships. As chapter 1 reveals, in recent years, adult couple violence has taken a turn for the worse. Women seem to be primary victims in intimate partner disputes. This poses a question of gender when it comes to violence among intimate partners. Of those who engage in intimate partner violence, men are typically more aggressive in nature and exert coercive control over their partners. Women, however, engage in violence out of self-defense. These results are derived from Clark’s study. Clark reveals how prior studies are limited in that, for example, they focus on only include minor incidents and incidents that are typically not reported to law enforcement. A better study would have included other categories of violence, such as intimate terrorism, violent resistance, and situation couple violence. These categories differ in terms of the pattern in when they are exercised. The author posits that, like adult victimization, adolescents can have similar conflicts in their relationships. But she notes one major difference, adolescents argue for reasons such as jealousy and drug use rather than financial issues or parenthood. Although sex differences exist, intimate partner violence is strongly related to deviant behaviors for both genders as well as peer networks. Researchers have developed theories to try and find out why violence among intimate partners is prevalent. These theories that help us understand adolescents’ intimate partner violence in adolescence are examined in Chapter 2. Clark notes that routine activities theory focuses on motivated offenders, suitable targets, and the absence of capable guardians. Adolescents understand rules, and it is their choice to be obedient to them. If a guardian is not present, then the rules significantly plummet in importance and effectiveness. Adolescents are at greater risk for victimization when they are away from the home. Unlike routine activities theory, lifestyle exposure theory deals with demographics, personal habits, and risk to victimization. The background and habits of an individual influence their actions. For example, since unsupervised adolescents have more opportunities, they are likely to be involved in risky situations. Violent offending stems from opportunity, because it is a time to try new things that often involves delinquent acts. Further, general strain theory is used to explain difficult situations and how those relate to offending behavior. Strain can cause adolescents to act in negative ways or in ways harmful to themselves or others. Moreover, teens typically take their anger out on those they & Ashley Finch ashfinch@indiana.edu