Teen Dating Abuse: The Attitude That Makes It An Epidemic

It's not new. Generations before have faced the same issue. As a matter of fact, countless couples go though the same thing on a daily basis. But in February of this year, domestic violence once again went public, when singer Chris Brown physically assaulted his musical partner and girlfriend Rihanna.

There has been much talk since then about what the couple should and should not do.  Not surprising since just about everyone has an opinion on high profile couples; whether it’s about divorce, infidelity or abuse. For that matter they do not even have to be celebrities. People have opinions and usually have no problems sharing them.   

Which makes the opinions of many teenagers on the whole public spectacle that much more disturbing. According to a survey done by the Boston Health Commission 46% of teenagers blamed Rihanna for the incident. 44% say fighting is a normal part of relationships. It is unclear whether they meant plain old fashion arguing or genuine physical confrontation.

While the majority of teens surveyed did blame Chris Brown, the fact that the polling was even that close says a lot. Keep in mind many teens surveyed had no ideal as to the actual circumstances of what happened which the makes the numbers more troubling.

Unfortunately it is not confined to Boston. One student told the Chicago Tribune that "a common reaction among students to Chris Brown's alleged attack on Rihanna goes something like this: "Ha! She probably did something to provoke it."

That kind of thinking is spread out over many areas when it comes to teen culture. In a study done by the Liz Claiborne Foundation some young people report that on average they receive over two hundred text messages daily from their dating partner.  For many teenagers that is nothing out of the ordinary; in fact to them it is a sign that the other person really is serious about the relationship.

It may seem normal because the information age has made communication instantaneous and readily available but in reality it is not. Elizabeth Miller is an associate professor of pediatrics at the UC Davis Medical Center. She tells Jackie Burrell of Contra Costa News "There are many types of controlling behaviors. Inordinate amounts of texting — who are you talking to, why are you talking to them, you can't talk to them — are at the core of abusive behavior."

This of course does not apply to most young people but the fact that dating violence among teens is on the rise means there is a crisis that must be dealt with. If left unchecked more and more teenagers will start believing that not only did Rihanna get what she deserved but they are well within their rights to do the same thing to their dating partner.