Though we live in this amazing country of the United States of America, there will always be problems that must be worked on. Conflicts between family members in America are a growing problem, namely spousal abuse. Spouse abuse is a complicated issue and controversial concerning the question whether or not it is a large problem in our society. First it is crucial to define what exactly is spouse abuse. According to the Survey of Social Science it is the "Physical, psychological or sexual mistreatment that occurs in a relationship between married couples or among individuals in a sustaining partnership-(Harpaz). This mistreatment is often hiding, the spouse that's being beat is very commonly afraid to let their situation be known to others. .
The woman being beat feels that it is her fault. From constant verbal and mental abuse, she is convinced that she must have done something wrong. With this feeling that she is the one which has done something wrong, she is ashamed of what is going on. Women come to think it was their fault. They feel guilty for not doing a good enough job as a mom because they are unable to protect themselves, or their children. A major obstacle to leaving is "women are in more danger when they are leaving "though everyone always asks why they stay.""(Marano) Another major obstacle to leaving is battered women's fear of losing their children or of being unable to protect them. "A Massachusetts study documented that in 70 percent of cases where fathers attempted to get custody of their children, they did so successfully. So when the abuser says to her, Sure, you can leave, but I've got the money to hire a good lawyer and I'll get the kids, he might be right.""(Marano) It is only when shame is gone, those abused women can ask for help. But who can help these women so they can get out of an abusive relationship? Unfortunately, the clinics that are there to help, many times don't give the women the support that they need.