Domestic Violence Term Paper

Total Length: 2163 words ( 7 double-spaced pages)

Total Sources: 0

Page 1 of 7

Daughter directed by Brian Gilbert. Specifically it will discuss all aspects of domestic violence in the film. This film illustrates many aspects of domestic violence, indicating that violence and abuse take many different forms, and can exist in even the "happiest" of homes. Domestic violence is a threat facing many families, and this film shows that violence is not the only form of abuse; there are many different types of emotional and mental abuse that still can leave lasting scars on the victims.

The film opens in 1984 with the seemingly happy family of Moody, Betty and Mahtob Mahmoody, a family living in Michigan. Moody is an Iranian doctor, and Betty is his wife. Mahtob is their young daughter. They seem extremely happy and well-adjusted -- not the kind of family that would endure any kind of domestic violence or abuse, but that begins to unravel as the film continues. Moody convinces Betty to travel to Iran for a two-week vacation. She is very nervous about the trip to the Middle East, but Moody swears on the Qu'ran that everything will be fine, and she agrees to the trip. As the deadline for their return approaches, Moody informs Betty that they are not going home, and that he never intended to go home, and this seems to be where the abuse started, but really it started in Michigan, before the trip.

Moody lied to Betty, and even swore on his holy book that everything would be fine, but that was a lie, too. Lieing is the first part of abuse, because it pushes the family apart and reduces the trust the partners have in one another. Betty could no longer trust her husband, and if he lied about the trip, what else has he lied about in the past? This is the beginning of a very emotional and abusive relationship, one that has no hope of survival, because the husband and wife are at such odds with one another. When Betty objects to staying in Iran with Moody's extremely conservative Muslim family, his behavior changes dramatically. He becomes violent and takes away her credit cards, money, and passport, so she has no way to contact her family or get away. She also finds that she is an Iranian citizen because she married an Iranian, and that the Swiss Embassy cannot help her. She also finds she cannot leave the country without Moody's approval, and that if she divorces, she would have to leave her daughter behind, as Moody would get sole custody automatically. She is alone and afraid in a foreign country, and that is extremely abusive. This kind of mental abuse is as hard as physical abuse on a person, and the film illustrates Betty's anguish and fear at her treatment. She is fearful and must do whatever her husband and his family say, from dressing as a Muslim woman, to keeping away from all other Americans.

Although at first Moody's behavior seems uncharacteristic, there are hints that he has a violent nature throughout the film. For example, before he tells Betty they are not going home, he gets up very early one morning to pray, and Betty asks him not to. He berates her and mentally abuses her and she sees a side of him she has not seen before, and he becomes much more intimidating and abusive, and extremely controlling, without any regard to her or her needs. He tells her that she is in "his country" now, and begins to control every aspect of her life, another very abusive action.

He will not allow her to contact her family after an initial phone call, and for quite a while, she is not allowed to leave the house, until she gains the family's "trust" by not "abusing" it. She is allowed to go to the market, where she begins to formulate a plan for escape. Moody becomes increasingly violent, and even hits her sometimes, and essentially she is a kidnapped prisoner in his family's house. His family does not support her, which is really another form of abuse because they allow it to continue and do nothing to stop it or her situation, and so, his family can really be seen as abusers and supporting the abuse, as well.

She still wants to please him in some way, so she submits to the abuse, dresses like a Muslim woman, and even expresses an interest in becoming a Muslim to gain his trust and to stop the physical and mental abuse.
He continually tells her she is being watched, that she is a prisoner, and that he will "kill" her if she attempts to escape. Her reaction is to meekly submit because she fears for her life and for the upbringing of her daughter. As the abuse continues, she becomes more and more depreessed, and that seems normal, because abuse of this type is so demeaning and debilitating, and she has no one to turn to for emotional support.

To control her, he beats her and becomes increasingly violent, and the rest of the family accepts it as normal, which is part of the problem. This violence against women is accepted in the Muslim world, and so it creates more violence and abuse against women, because it is expected and accepted. In America, Moody's behavior would not have been tolerated, and he learned how to modify it, but in Iran, his behavior was an accepted way for a husband to treat a wife, and so, Betty is doomed to suffer abuse throughout her stay in the country.

The abuse he piles on Betty affects their daughter, too. In fact, Moody steals the child and uses her as a weapon against his wife. She becomes traumatized and afraid because of the abuse and the relationship between her mother and father, so the abuse effects her negatively, too. She has to attend a Muslim school, and Betty is allowed to go to the school with her to help her adjust, but the school knows that Betty cannot use the phone or leave with her daughter. He allows her some freedoms, but keeps her on a very short leash, continuing his control and abuse of his family. Betty attends a school to learn about the Qu'ran, and meets another American woman married to an Iranian, and they become friends. Another espisode of violence occurs when her new friend tries to mail a letter for Betty to the embassy. Ellen's husband beats her and berates Betty for going against her husband's wishes, indicating how men feel obligated to beat their wives for any infraction in this culture.

Things get better, and Betty is allowed out of the house to go to the market, where she meets a shopkeeper who eventually introduces her to a group that help American women in her position. Moody will allow her to go back to the United States for a visit, because her father is ill, but he will keep their daughter as a "hostage" to ensure Betty returns, and brings back all of their assets from the United States. When she objects to this arrangement, he slams his fist on the table and walks out, another allusion to his violent and controlling nature.

Throughout the film, Moody illustrates many of the classic abusive traits that can occur in people. He seems like a happy, well-adjusted man, and they seem like a happy family. However, in tense or emotional situations, he reacts with abuse and violence, and he must retain control over those around him. These are all traits of an abusive personality. Whenever Betty shows any sign of fighting back or not agreeing with him, he becomes violent and abusive to maintain his control. He is not above using his daughter as a weapon, which creates fear and an abusive relationship with her, as well. The abuse continues because women have no rights in Iran, and there is nowhere for them to get away from an abusive husband, and because he isolates Betty and does not allow her any emotional support, which is just another form of abuse.

This film illustrates that emotional abuse can be just as devastating (even more so, sometimes) than physical abuse, because it can continue for so long and because it becomes so prevalent that the victim seems to never be able to get away from it. Betty has nowhere to turn for emotional support, which is even more devastating, and Moody knows that and keeps her isolated as yet another form of control. There is no shred of trust left in the marriage, and there really is no marriage left, and that is the result of It is difficult to care for someone who would treat their partner like that, and easy to see why Betty would be so determined to leave.

She does manage to get away from Moody, and gets their passports so she and her daughter can be smuggled out….....

Show More ⇣


     Open the full completed essay and source list


OR

     Order a one-of-a-kind custom essay on this topic


Related Essays

Domestic Violence and the Effect on Children

Abstract Children who are victims of domestic violence situations often experience trauma and need help to cope with the lives and the negative experiences they feel. They will turn to abusing drugs and alcohol or engage in risky sexual activity in order to try to escape their trauma. In some cases, they lash out at their environment in response to the strain they are feeling. This can lead them to a life of crime and eventually to time served in prison. Understanding these issues and learning ways to help children who are victims of domestic violenceContinue Reading...

Violence Against Women in Macho Paradox

need to remove such belief systems and create gender equality to end violence against women and create a balanced society. Domestic violence is an issue many people face on a daily basis. However, in Katz book, The Macho Paradox, chapter 1 opens the discussion of domestic abuse seen as a common event in the American landscape. "...found that two-thirds of American men say that domestic violence is very or fairly common in the U.S., and in a 2005 national survey...92% of respondents said that family violence is a much bigger problem than people think." (Katz 2) While domestic violence is an issue that has been explored and examined, daily potential… Continue Reading...

Questions Concerning Employment

refers to values that progress organizational policies concerning disadvantage populations like youth in distress, welfare recipients, and domestic violence victims. The inclusive workplace at this level perceives such populations as a potentially upwardly mobile and stable workforce. Thus, policy strategies will be to invest in evening educational classes, on-the-job training, and so forth. An exclusionary organization would readily dispose of such workers or even not hire them altogether. The focus in workplace inclusion level 3 is social class and issues of race and gender due to women of color being disproportionally represented in the working class. A good example of an inclusive policy is NYC's Welfare-to-Work Program… Continue Reading...

ISIS Attacks in America Essay

Domestic Violence and Domestic Terrorism- While the media is quick to focus on the religious or political affiliations of people who commit mass killings when they are brown, the real answer to domestic terrorism may involve domestic violence.  Regardless of religious or political affiliation, most people who commit mass homicides in the United States have a documented history of domestic violence.  Is failure to respond adequately and appropriately to these charges part of the reason that the United States is struggling with a huge domestic terrorist problem? Outline I.  Introduction… Continue Reading...

Laws on Rape, Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Robbery

can be classified into different types that include assault, aggravated assault, harassment, hate crimes, kidnapping, stalking, murder, domestic violence, and child abuse among others. Assault is committed when an individual tries or strikes another physically or acts in a way that threatens the life of another person. Aggravated assault occurs when an individual tries or causes severe injury to a person or causes severe injury using a deadly weapon. Battery is defined at intentional or harmful touching of an individual without seeking their consent. In 2015, the rate of assault and aggravated assault in the US was 230 cases in every 100,000 people (Stevens 14). This was… Continue Reading...

Remedies for PTSD and Abusive Relationships

children and defend them from their violent father (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2015). Question 4 Looking at other survivors of domestic violence, leaving an abusive relationship is not an easy task, but a herculean that has endangered the woman and calls for resources that are not readily available. Most survivors stay in abusive relationships with the hope of making things work, and we relate this to Jesse's story and her experiences of looking after the best interests of the children before attempting to solve their broken relationship (Dockterman, 2016). Female victims of domestic violence are held hostage because they find it hard to leave due to concerns over money for… Continue Reading...

Gender Status Impact Access to Social Political and Economic Resources

land/property owners display lower domestic violence experience rates, other researchers have revealed greater incidence, especially within conservative cultures reflecting the effects of evolving power dynamics. Hence, initiatives which endeavor to make females financially stronger (e.g., micro credit programs) must take into account the best means of mitigating adverse effects (e.g., through incorporating violence prevention programs) (Fitriani, 3). Females’ domestic roles frequently end up causing them to disproportionately utilize natural resources. Water resources like wells situated far from their homes may appreciably increase their workload. Further, forest conservation plans may restrict their forest product accessibility,… Continue Reading...

My Papas Waltz Poem Analysis

domestic violence. The subtle cues in the poem related to gender and socioeconomic class do, however, show that Roethke deliberately chose the waltz specifically as a means of making social commentary. A formal dance, the waltz has a specific structure in which the male is supposed to lead the two-person partnership. The speaker of “My Papa’s Waltz” affirms this, especially by showing how he clung and hung onto his father in spite of being abused. He was doing what he was supposed to do, allowing his father to “beat time… Continue Reading...

National Anthem Protest Essay

domestic violence offenders being on the NFL’s active rosters.  Third, the decision to take a knee was made specifically to simultaneously show respect and protest. Essay Hook Despite his efforts to show respect while engaging in peaceful protest, Kaepernick quickly became the most controversial football player to ever play in the NFL. Thesis Statement The fact that Kaepernick’s protest is being portrayed as disrespectful, even though kneeling has long been considered a sign of respect, has much more to do with what he is protesting than how he is protesting.… Continue Reading...

Robert Hayden Those Winter Sundays

domestic violence in the poem occurs when the speaker describes the extreme cold using the descriptive term "blueblack," (line 2). The father has to dress in the "blueblack cold," using the startling, poignant imagery of a black and blue mark or a bruise to describe the way the cold affects the human body (line 2). However, Hayden also uses the term blueblack specifically to hint at the possibility of physical abuse or domestic violence. The speaker of the poem does not overtly mention being beaten by the father,… Continue Reading...

The Housing Crisis and Insecurity and Poverty in America

Abuse, domestic violence, and other issues are prevalent among the poor because these types of behaviors can be viewed as coping mechanisms. The women profiled in Evicted often hide their experiences with domestic violence because making an official police report would lead to unwanted attention by the landlord and a probable eviction (Desmond 189). Coping strategies reflect gender and race-based social norms, as women are more prone to being evicted, or allowing themselves to remain victims of abuse instead of changing their circumstances due to financial instability and the lack of… Continue Reading...

How to Measure the Effectiveness of Organization

more effectively. In other words, domestic violence cannot necessarily be separated from other issues like homelessness and drug abuse but outreach services cannot continue to be diverted away from the primary population. Women seeking PM's services might themselves be addicts, and might be homeless after leaving their abusive partner. Therefore, the major strategic goal for Protect Me should be to provide women with access to career building and personal development so that they can envision and act on a new life that centers on self-sufficiency, self-reliance, and self-care. 2. Develop three strategies for the goal… Continue Reading...

Bessie Smith and the Blues

I could imagine how they would be sung. In the songs that touched on domestic violence, I was particularly struck because these, at least on paper, seemed to be both mournful and upbeat -- for instance in the song "Sweet Rough Man" in which the woman describes being beaten by her husband but also loved by him. There were so many contradictory feelings contained in this song that it was interesting to see how a woman might love a man for his "lovin'" even though he was very rough with her. At the same time, other songs depicted women being rough with their men… Continue Reading...

Colored Girls Rainbow Shange Play Reaction

women have suffered injustice and violations including domestic violence and abuse and rape, with gender-related issues at the heart of each of their tales. They have considered killing themselves to obliterate the pain and transmute the suffering. Above all, “For Colored Girls” exemplifies intersectional oppression: the links between race, gender, and social status. Using poetic devices instead of straightforward prose is what distinguishes Shange’s play from others that address such issues with more direct language. Theirs are not stories in the traditional sense of there being a beginning, middle, and end, just as the play as a… Continue Reading...

Divorce Case Study Essay

for the most recent domestic violence incidents involving her mother and former step-father. Although Julie reports have several friends, she denies having any close friends besides her boyfriend, “Francisco” and denies being sexually active. At present, Julie is a member of the yearbook committee at her school and she participated in volunteer activities at a local shelter the previous 2 years. 5.     Initial Assessment of Functioning The client is an otherwise well-functioning teenager who is experiencing problems at home in responding to her mother’s depression and increasing need for assistance. 6.     Medical… Continue Reading...

Childrens Rights and Teacher Advocacy

the occurrence of an abuse or a possible exposure to abuse (which include hearing, observation, domestic violence intervention, or subsequently having negative behaviours and fears to deal with, which according to some states amount to child maltreatment). The challenge of the rights of children with regards to future policies is how to translate from specific pleading and support to major rights of children as contained in institutions and policies across board. This implies the institution of the right of children both in the ideologies of civil society organizations and local authorities. To most people, it is easier to see children as the vulnerable population that… Continue Reading...

sample essay writing service

Cite This Resource:

Latest APA Format (6th edition)

Copy Reference
"Domestic Violence" (2009, June 09) Retrieved May 13, 2025, from
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/domestic-violence-21282

Latest MLA Format (8th edition)

Copy Reference
"Domestic Violence" 09 June 2009. Web.13 May. 2025. <
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/domestic-violence-21282>

Latest Chicago Format (16th edition)

Copy Reference
"Domestic Violence", 09 June 2009, Accessed.13 May. 2025,
https://www.aceyourpaper.com/essays/domestic-violence-21282
   

A PHP Error was encountered

Severity: Core Warning

Message: PHP Startup: Unable to load dynamic library '/usr/lib/php/20160303/mysql.so' - /usr/lib/php/20160303/mysql.so: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory

Filename: Unknown

Line Number: 0