In “the happiest country in the world” 5% of young people aged 15 to 19 years old, think it is justifiable for a man to hit his love partner in certain situations, as stated in a 2014 report from the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).
According to this document, 126 million young men (52% out of the total population), think the use of violence is fair when a couple burns the food, when she argues with her partner, if she neglects the children, if she refuses to have sex or goes out without permission.
In March, 2016, the National University (UNA) published a study in which 92% of Costa Rican, young men accepted having assaulted their partners at least once.
Around the world, 1 out of 3 adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years old (84 million) has been victim of emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse at some point of her life. The report entitled “Hidden in plain sight” indicates that these women confirmed that they never asked for help because they did not realize they were victims of violence and they did not believe the abuse was a problem.
Elizabeth Ballestero, from Patronato Nacional de la Infancia (PANI), expressed that these are learned behaviors at homes, but also on the streets.
There are different theories to explain violence. In a more primitive human part, these behaviors are a way of life. But on the other hand they are learned, it has to do with sexism in a society that sees women as a second-class subject,
explained Ballestero.
According to Adriana Roja, a specialist in educational psychology, aggression during teenage years causes great harm because personality is under construction. In her opinion, education must come from home and it must be taught at schools and awareness and prevention campaigns must be carried out.