https://www.studyfinds.org/boys-more-victimized-by-teen-dating-violence-than-girls-study-finds/
VANCOUVER — Who is more likely to be victimized by teen dating violence? If you're quick to think it's girls, new data shows you're wrong. In a surprising twist, recently published research indicates boys are more likely to report being victims of dating violence committed by partners who hit, slap or push them.
Researchers with the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU) conducted a longitudinal study of dating violence. While reports of physical abuse went down over time, they say there is a troubling gender-related trend.
Five percent of teens reported physical abuse from their dating partners in 2013, down from 6 percent in 2003. But in the last year, 5.8 percent of boys reported dating violence compared to 4.2 percent of girls.
Some of the possible reasoning?
"It could be that it's still socially acceptable for girls to hit or slap boys in dating relationships," says lead author Catherine Shaffer, a PhD student with SFU, in a release. "This has been found in studies of adolescents in other countries as well."
Good news is that violence is down overall.
Shaffer believes the overall decline in dating violence is positive. "Young people who experience dating violence are more likely to act out and take unnecessary risks, and they're also more likely to experience depression or think about or attempt suicide," she says. "That's why it's good to see that decline in dating violence over a 10-year span. It suggests that healthy relationship programs are making an impact among youth."
VANCOUVER — Who is more likely to be victimized by teen dating violence? If you're quick to think it's girls, new data shows you're wrong. In a surprising twist, recently published research indicates boys are more likely to report being victims of dating violence committed by partners who hit, slap or push them.
Researchers with the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU) conducted a longitudinal study of dating violence. While reports of physical abuse went down over time, they say there is a troubling gender-related trend.
Five percent of teens reported physical abuse from their dating partners in 2013, down from 6 percent in 2003. But in the last year, 5.8 percent of boys reported dating violence compared to 4.2 percent of girls.
Some of the possible reasoning?
"It could be that it's still socially acceptable for girls to hit or slap boys in dating relationships," says lead author Catherine Shaffer, a PhD student with SFU, in a release. "This has been found in studies of adolescents in other countries as well."
Good news is that violence is down overall.
Shaffer believes the overall decline in dating violence is positive. "Young people who experience dating violence are more likely to act out and take unnecessary risks, and they're also more likely to experience depression or think about or attempt suicide," she says. "That's why it's good to see that decline in dating violence over a 10-year span. It suggests that healthy relationship programs are making an impact among youth."