Violence

(1) Description of the pattern

Throughout history violence has been widely used as an ineffective problem solving method. Violent acts are generally typified as physical, sexual, psychological, or deprivational in nature.

(2) Why the pattern is good (i.e. bad)

Violence results in roughly 1.5 million deaths per year worldwide. Of those deaths, just over 50% are by suicide, 35% by homicide, and 12% as a result of war or some other form of conflict. In 2008, there were over 16 million cases of injury caused by violence that were serious enough to require medical attention. In addition, acts of non-physical violence such as child neglect and psychological abuse are highly prevalent. Some of the long-term implications of acts of violence (other than the obvious ones involving death and injury) involve the victims resorting to high-risk behaviors such as alcohol and substance abuse, smoking, and unsafe sex. These behaviors can in turn result in both physical and psychological maladies which can also contribute to premature death.