Youth to Parent Violence: A More Complex Form of Family Violence?

Abstract

Youth to parent violence is neither legally nor socially recognised as an inherent type of family violence in the United Kingdom, resulting in a complete failure to address the needs of victims. I will begin by discussing the complex family dynamic present in youth to parent violence through an analysis of the nature of the parent-child relationship and roles and responsibilities which come with it. Following this I will examine how the UK government, criminal justice system, and youth centered discourse create barriers to justice and leave victims with little access to support networks. I will conclude by arguing that the first step in understanding youth to parent violence is by reconceptualising it into a new framework.