Abstract
This project involves a report to a company's Board of Directors on the cost and value of offering domestic partner benefits. It addresses the economic implications as well as the practical and moral aspects of offering health coverage to same sex or opposite sex domestic partners.

From the Paper
"Traditionally companies thought of a commitment to diversity as involving little more that strict compliance with regulations governing anti discrimination and legislation involving equal employment opportunities ..."

Tags:gay, lesbian, domestic partners, equity, retention, attracting employees, cost, benefit, reaction, insurance cost increases

Abstract
This paper discusses the costs and value of offering domestic partner benefits to people in different kinds of domestic arrangements. The paper also discusses the negative aspects of such benefits, including costs and criticisms from stakeholders and groups against same-sex arrangements.

From the Paper
"A domestic partnership is usually understood to mean two unrelated unmarried adults who share the same household Domestic partner benefits are those offered by employers to the unmarried domestic partners of their employees..."

Tags:cost, benefits, domstic partner agreements, risk. backlash, human rights, same sex, opposite sex partnerships

Abstract
This paper reports on the cost and value of offering domestic partner benefits. It includes a definition of the term domestic partner, and a discussion of the issue of equity and equality for same sex and opposite sex domestic partners.

From the Paper
"Report to the Board of Directors Subject Cost of Domestic Partner Benefits: As part of our ongoing efforts to finding recruiting and retaining the best and most qualified individuals as employees of this company the Human Resources Department has conducted a preliminary study of the cost to the company of offering Domestic Partner Benefits. According to an essay published on the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund website online more and more employers are offering their unmarried workers health and other benefits for their spousal equivalents."

Tags:cost, value, domestic partner benefits, equality, gender bias, homophobia and gay rights.

Abstract
In this article the writer presents an examination of the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and looks at how it relates to homosexual couples. The writer explores various companies that provide benefits for domestic partners as well as state statutes that mandate such policies. The writer claims how unfair it is that benefits are not federally mandated for the FMLA when it comes to domestic partner relationships. The writer points out that children are being adopted every day by gay couples and those parents are being deprived of spending the first few months at home bonding with that child. The writer maintains that a negative impact on the workforce is produced by the lack of federal mandate for FMLA with domestic partnerships. The writer concludes the essay with a personal point of view.

From the Paper
"In today's society many couples are non traditional. They are fully committed to each other and their life together but for various reasons are not married. Same sex couples are not allowed to be married and many heterosexual couples don't believe the government should force them to have a formal ceremony to commit to each other.
The FMLA leaves those couples out in the cold. Recently companies across the nation have taken a close look at the impact refusing domestic partner benefits has on the morale of their workforce and have decided to implement benefits on their own. In addition some states have made the move to mandate coverage for domestic partners through their jobs."

Tags:benefits, gay, couples, child

Abstract
This paper takes a look at legislation in several states regarding same-sex marriage and argues that the current Bush administration's stance on same-sex marriages has prompted it to attempt to legislate against equal employment rights-health care, pensions and so on-for all citizens.

From the Paper
"One might almost view the current situation in employment legislation regarding same-sex marriage (or domestic partnerships or civil unions) as a mirror of the 2004 presidential election returns map. Generally speaking, the 'blue' states are working, however slowly and in whatever sort of patchwork, to extend employment benefits to domestic partners, the same ones enjoyed by partners in traditional marriages. The 'red' states are generally enacting legislation that not only disenfranchises those partnerships from employee benefits-insurance and pension plans-but also arguably are creating de facto or de jure government-authorized discrimination against those whose living and romantic arrangements with another human being were not recognized by a church or a government. Of course, some churches do recognize domestic partnerships; to prevent this recognition from affecting the course of various civil rights, many states have failed to recognize what those churches recognize."

Tags:civil, unions, different, genders, government, redefinition, misuse, punishable, offense

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that domestic violence has become an epidemic in the United States of America. The writer points out that nearly all of domestic violence complaints are between intimate partners with the majority of violence targeting women. The writer focuses on the long-lasting effects that domestic violence has on the women in the United States. The writer discusses the effects that domestic violence has on women as well as the coping strategies that women use to deal with the psychological stress. The writer maintains that more programs and resources need to be made available to women suffering from domestic violence. Tougher penalties need to be placed on the batterers of these women in order to try and deter the violence. The writer concludes that until there is a change, every year thousands of women will die by the hands of their partners.

Outline:
Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Attribution for the abuse is the victim's perception of what caused her abuse. These factors include internal and external blame. Self-blame is when the victim feels she is responsible for the abuse and will not be as likely to abuse her child. On the other hand externalized blame is when the woman puts the blame on the batterer and is then more likely to abuse her own child. In addition another cognitive variable is the victim's attachment style. The attachment style of the victim is how she tends to bond with others. Attachment styles can be broken up into two categories secure and insecure. There are two types of insecure attachment styles which are preoccupied and fearful. Preoccupied style is when a person has a negative view towards themselves and a positive view of other people in which they rely on for support. Fearful attachment style is when a person has a negative view of both themselves and others. These people tend to avoid close relationships because they have a fear of rejection. These insecure attachment styles have been linked to child abuse potential."

Tags:victim, partner, stress, PTSD

Abstract
In this article, the writer explains that domestic violence is defined as a pattern of coercive control that may consist of physical, sexual, and/or psychological assaults against intimate partners, whether current or former. The writer notes that domestic violence is considered a violation of basic human rights that must be prevented by political, legal and civil actions within all areas of society. The writer compares domestic violence in the U.S. with other nations. The writer concludes that in the United States, much progress has occurred during the past thirty years regarding the recognition of domestic violence as a major problem. As a result, numerous services in different professional disciplines have developed in order to address the legal, social service, and mental and physical health needs of the survivors, perpetrators and child witnesses of domestic violence.

From the Paper
"Violence is a learned behavior that is usually passed on from one generation to the next, unless efforts are made to interrupt the dysfunctional pattern. Intervention not only teaches the partners more positive ways to resolve conflicts, but it teaches the children more appropriate interaction patterns, thus the cycle of abuse can be stopped."
"In the first stage of domestic violence, tension builds as small incidents of verbal and physical abuse begin, then during the second stage, episodes become more violent and more frequent, resulting in serious injury to the female. The cycle is reinforced during the third and final stage by the partner's remorse and assertions that the abuse will end. This behavioral pattern promotes the victim's passivity and submission to future abuse. Many researchers suggest that victims of domestic violence are not truly capable of acting in their own best interests due to fear and low self-esteem, however, others believe that the vast majority of victims are indeed capable of making rational decisions."

Tags:control, partner, assaults, violation

Abstract
This paper identifies and promotes qualities, which are conducive to women who have experienced past physical abuse in relationships, function successfully in a relationship with a new partner. The author points out that women, who are abused, tend to make a psychological connection to the validity of the abuse. The paper relates that social workers indicate that this validity can be enhanced through the woman social economic, educational, cultural and racial indicators.

From the Paper
"The topic of this dissertation is to identify and promote qualities, which are conducive to women who have experienced past physical abuse in relationships function, successfully in a relationship with a new partner. Women who have been in abusive relationships tend to have "scars" relating to the experience. These scars are not necessarily physical, but refer to the permanent psychological impact that occurs when a trusted partner takes on the role of an abuser. These conditions have a significant impact on the victim's psyche and are reflected in their ability to build healthy future relationships with other non-abusive partners. Social workers need to understand this topic for two reasons. The first is to help the woman recover successfully from instances of past abuse. "

Tags:domestic, violence, cycle

Abstract
This paper studies the public health issue of domestic violence. Specifically, it discusses domestic violence committed against women. The physical, cultural, psychological, behavioral, and sociocultural aspects of domestic violence are covered. Additionally, statistics are provided that support the findings of the paper. Topics also discussed are the risks associated with domestic violence, health issues of victims of domestic violence, and what women can do to escape the violence. A discussion of care plans and intervention methods concludes the study.

From the Paper
"Domestic violence has been recognized as a public health issue. Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is a concern because 1.5 million women are raped and/or physically assaulted by an intimate partner every year and domestic violence is the leading cause of injuries to women ages 15-44 (CDC, 2003). Healthy People 2010 guidelines contain a list of objectives for domestic violence. The major goal is to enhance detection and care for survivors of domestic violence."

Tags:injuries, intimate, partner, husband, ex, boyfriend, victim, forcing, mental, physical, health

Abstract
This paper discusses the suggestion by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that all women should be screened for abuse when going to the doctor for a general checkup or other medical reasons. It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of this suggestion and points out that improper screening may put battered women in danger and that victims leaving their abusive partner are at increased risk of being harmed.

From the Paper
"Increasingly, the importance of screening is being recognized. Conversely, it is understood how the lack of such screening can cause serious injuries and, in some cases, death. Wadman and Muelleman (1999) reported that 44 percent of all female victims of domestic homicide had been in the emergency room less than 2 years before their deaths; these 15 patients made a total of 48 visits during this time period, for an average of over 3 visits each. Medical records showed documentation that suggested domestic violence for eight of the victims; however, there was no record of a single referral to a domestic violence agency or any domestic violence information being provided to them. Thus, multiple opportunities for intervention were missed before the problem became fatal. "

Tags:abuse, partner