Violence

I doubt whether it is really that the world be divided into violent people (i.e others) and peaceful people (i.e. me and you), like the two humps on a camel's back. My suspicion is that, deep down, violence lurks in most human beings﹑ given extreme frustration and certain circumstance, we might all resort to violence. a man kicks a car when it won't start, shouts at his wife after a bad day at work﹑ a mother out of sheer frustration hits her child, a husband half-mad with jealousy or rage batters his wife﹑ a child, frustrated and angry, smashes a toy to tiny piece. Yes, there is a darker side to the human personality which is present in us all.

Simply stated, violence could be defined as behaviour that inflicts injury on another. But the confusion over the way in which our culture uses violence makes it extremely difficult to accept such a simple definition for a complex term. Take, for instance, the throwing of a punch. This is a straightforward behavioural act, which could be interpreted as violent﹑ but then it depends on whether the punch is thrown within a boxing ring in which case it is regarded as a legitimate sporting activity﹑ or within a man's home against his wife, when it becomes an act of violence.

Technological advancement adds further to our confusion. The punch in the above example is behavioural with obvious intent and direct result but then, what about the throwing of a switch? In itself that is not a violent act. But if it is the switch which precipitates a nuclear attack and results in the annihilation of thousands of people, shall we still regard the act as non-violent? we could increase the frog of confusion by considering the possibility of verbal violence. In some homes, where the couple are well educated, perhaps neither partner would to physical violence. Instead, though, verbal violence takes place. This may include constant cruel remarks, sarcasm, deeply hurtful comment furious expressions of hatred and contempt. The effect of this verbal warfare on the victim is pain just as sharp and often lasting a great deal longer than a slap in the face.

There is also emotional violence. This may be a strictly observed silence within the home, in which the father and the mother refuse to talk to each other. psychologists recognise this type of emotional violence as a common source of marital difficulties and it is the exact opposite of verbal violence.

Interestingly, the destruction of homes and communities to build motorways and the pollution of rivers and water ways by industries are now regarded as forms of violence. From all the aforementioned, one fact emerges. Violence is not a homogeneous concept. It covers a whole range of behaviour and simple explanations and solutions cannot be expected.