Dating Violence in a Sample of Young Mexicans

The study of violence in dating relationships is important for three reasons: first, it has been found that physical aggression before marriage is indicative of a 51% probability that this aggression will be repeated throughout the first year and a half of cohabitation. Second, the study of violence can aid in understanding the phenomenon of violence in intimate relationships. Finally, knowledge about this phenomenon may help to plan and promote prevention. Moreover, the study of dating violence has historically focused on women, yet, recent research suggests that, at least in dating couples, the gender gap is decreasing or even reversing. This study presents data about dating violence from a survey of 140 young men and women in Tamaulipas, Mexico. The results indicate that 45.5% of men and 46.8% of women, corresponding to 46.2% of the sample as a whole, suffer from violence to some degree, but there were no significant gender differences in this regard.