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There are some behaviors commonly found in children who are reared in families with violent interaction patterns. They include:
- Role Reversal - Often an older child is forced to accept responsibility for care of younger siblings and of the household due to the parents' inability to fulfill these functions. This child may never have had the opportunity to participate in normal childhood activities.
- Aggressive Behavior - Some of these children may act in an aggressive manner at home and in school, toward other siblings, children animals, and adults. This behavior may also include destruction of property and/or theft.
- Violence Towards Parents - When these children become adolescents or adults, they may turn on their parents.
- Running Away - These children may run away, perceiving this as their only alternative for escaping an unbearable home situation.
- Truancy - These children often fail to attend school. They may believe that if they stay home their presence will keep the fighting under control, or that peers will recognize their physical and emotional deprivation and sexual abuse.
- Shy Withdrawn Behavior - These children may not interact with others. As this behavior seldom attracts attention, these children may not be identified as troubled.
- Substance Abuse - Older children from violent families may engage in excessive use of alcohol or drugs. This behavior is often modeled after the parents' behavior, and is perceived as a psychological escape from their problems.
- Abusive Behavior - When these children become adults they may abuse their own children and/or spouses.
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Seniors
