Between 30 and 50 percent of female high school students report
teen- dateing- violence.

But , after Maria and John were married. John began drinking more and became more abusive.
Then he quit going to church. Maria went to her minister.
Her minister told her to be patient with John.

Be a better wife, have babies , take care of your home and husband, he said.
Then John will become more responsible.
Maria's mother told her the same.

Children will make all the difference in John's behavior , she said.