Surreal illustration representing the emotional complexities of adolescent dating violence, highlighting the gendered differences in perception.

Decoding Dating Violence: How Adolescent Perceptions Can Shape Prevention

Samir D’Costa in Culture & Society June 2025 • 4 min read.

"A qualitative study reveals critical gender differences in how teens understand dating violence, paving the way for more effective intervention strategies."

Dating violence is a significant public health concern affecting adolescents globally. While research has identified the prevalence and consequences of such violence, a deeper understanding of adolescents' perceptions, particularly gender-specific viewpoints, remains crucial. Addressing this gap can significantly improve prevention and intervention strategies, ensuring they resonate with the target audience.

Traditional approaches often fall short due to the use of complex language and concepts that do not align with how adolescents perceive these issues. By exploring the adolescent perspective, educators and practitioners can tailor their methods to be more relatable and effective, fostering an environment where young individuals feel understood and supported.

This article delves into a qualitative study that investigates adolescents' perceptions of dating violence, focusing on gender differences. By examining their language, attitudes, and understanding, we aim to provide actionable insights for creating more impactful prevention and intervention programs.

How Do Adolescents Define Dating Violence? Action vs. Emotion

Surreal illustration representing the emotional complexities of adolescent dating violence, highlighting the gendered differences in perception.

Adolescents often describe dating violence using more action- and emotion-oriented phrases rather than technical definitions. Physical abuse, such as being beaten or slapped, is commonly recognized, but the concept extends to being threatened, controlled, or called names. Gender significantly influences these perceptions. Males tend to associate dating violence with the act itself and its physical consequences, while females focus on the victim's feelings and emotional impact.

For instance, males might describe dating violence as "forcing somebody to do something they don't want to do" or highlight the physical outcomes, such as a "bruised up girl." In contrast, females often express the emotional toll, such as feeling trapped or degraded. This divergence suggests that males perceive dating violence more directly, focusing on perpetrators' actions, while females view it as a complex issue involving the victim's emotional experience.

Understanding these gendered perceptions is critical for crafting targeted prevention messages. Consider these key differences:

For Males: Focus on the direct consequences of violent actions and the importance of consent and respect.
For Females: Emphasize emotional well-being, self-worth, and the importance of seeking support.

By acknowledging these distinct viewpoints, educators and practitioners can create more impactful discussions that resonate with all adolescents, fostering a deeper understanding of what constitutes dating violence and its far-reaching effects.

The Path Forward: Tailoring Education for Lasting Impact

Adolescents need comprehensive education that goes beyond simple definitions. They want open and honest discussions about healthy relationships, how to recognize harmful behaviors, and what steps to take if they or someone they know is involved in a violent situation. By tailoring prevention efforts to align with adolescent language and perspectives, we can create a safer, more supportive environment for young people to navigate their relationships.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1177/0886260517726969, Alternate LINK

Title: Adolescent Perceptions Of Dating Violence: A Qualitative Study

Subject: Applied Psychology

Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Authors: Sarah Taylor, Carrie A. Calkins, Yan Xia, Rochelle L. Dalla

Published: 2017-08-29

Everything You Need To Know

How do adolescents typically describe or define 'dating violence' in their own words?

Adolescents often define dating violence through action-oriented and emotion-oriented phrases rather than formal definitions. They commonly recognize physical abuse, such as hitting or slapping, but also include threats, control, and verbal abuse like name-calling. Gender influences these perceptions significantly; males tend to focus on the act itself and its physical consequences, while females emphasize the emotional impact on the victim, such as feeling trapped or degraded.

How can prevention messages be tailored to address the distinct ways males and females perceive dating violence?

To effectively prevent dating violence, it's crucial to tailor messages to reflect the different perspectives of males and females. For males, focus on the direct consequences of violent actions, consent, and respect. For females, emphasize emotional well-being, self-worth, and the importance of seeking support. By acknowledging these distinct viewpoints, discussions can resonate more deeply with all adolescents.

What key elements should be included in comprehensive dating violence education programs for adolescents to have a lasting impact?

Comprehensive education should extend beyond basic definitions and incorporate discussions about healthy relationships, recognition of harmful behaviors, and steps to take if oneself or someone they know is involved in a violent situation. Prevention efforts should align with adolescent language and perspectives to create a safer, more supportive environment.

Based on the research, how do male adolescents typically perceive or understand 'dating violence'?

The study indicates that males often associate dating violence with the physical act and its direct consequences, such as physical harm. Their descriptions tend to highlight perpetrators' actions, such as 'forcing somebody to do something they don't want to do' or mentioning a 'bruised up girl.' This suggests that they perceive dating violence more directly, focusing on observable actions and outcomes.

According to the research, how do female adolescents typically perceive or understand 'dating violence'?

Females often perceive dating violence as a complex issue involving the emotional experience of the victim. Their descriptions tend to emphasize the emotional toll, such as feeling trapped or degraded. This divergence from males' perceptions underscores the importance of addressing the emotional impact in prevention and intervention strategies.