Every year, the Super Bowl is a popular event that many eagerly await. It’s a time when people all over the US share their love for football as the season concludes. Whether that be watching the game, enjoying the commercials, or tuning into the halftime show, there is an appeal for all types of viewers. However, even with all the excitement and unity this event brings, there is a troubling reality that is often overlooked.
During this time of year, emotions run high, which can frequently result in harmful actions that cannot be undone. Domestic violence, the act of violence or aggression within a home, has been reported to rise during large sporting events like Super Bowl weekend. According to the National Organization for Women (NOW), researchers analyzed over 700 cities and counties. Studies show that spikes of domestic violence commonly happen during the Super Bowl. A major reason this occurs is because of the influence of outside factors that heighten stress and affect behavior, increasing the risk of harm to spouses and children nationwide.
To fully understand this issue, it’s essential to examine the emotional factors that influence the outcomes of people’s actions during Super Bowl weekend. To start, the competitiveness of the game plays a huge part in the way people act. Throughout the season, each game becomes more important because it determines which teams compete in the Super Bowl. Meaning, people tend to develop a partisan outlook, especially for the team they’re rooting for.
Additionally, other forms of competitiveness that often play out are secondary activities that are used to “raise the stakes” of the game. An example of this is sports betting, the act of a person betting a specific amount of money on a football team to win the game. If said team does not win, that person has to pay the agreed amount of money to the person they bet against. People who do this tend to bet large amounts of money, sometimes going into the hundreds and thousands, fueling the tension of the overall situation.
Another example of an outside source that influences the emotions of people during the Super Bowl is the consumption of alcohol. The Super Bowl is considered a celebratory moment, especially for the teams and fans of the competing teams. Therefore, alcohol is frequently bought and consumed in large quantities. According to the Muse Treatment, an alcohol rehab center in California, the average amount of alcohol consumed per adult over the age of twenty-one during Super Bowl weekend is four to six beers, with the highest reaching eight beers. On a normal weekend, the average amount of alcohol consumed is two beers. As a result, alcohol alters the mindstate of the human body, which fuels extreme reactions that someone sober would not normally exhibit. These reactions could include anger or frustration, resulting in potential violence against others vulnerable to the situation.
One year, these outside influences contributed to a country-wide tragedy across bars and households. During Super Bowl LVII on February 12, 2023, the streaming platform Tubi aired its commercial, tricking viewers into believing that halfway through the game, someone was controlling the remote to switch the channel from the Super Bowl to Tubi. The reactions to this commercial were very poor. Waitresses at bars reported beer bottles being thrown at them, getting cussed out by customers, and even the destruction of property.
That year, emergency operations received more calls than average, households describing violent behavior from their family members, punching holes into walls, and screaming at their loved ones who had no control in the situation. Unfortunately, despite the chaos and reports from hundreds of people who were victims of domestic violence as a result of this commercial, the company brought no awareness to the reactions; instead, now painted as a historical tragedy for the many innocent people who were involved.
Given that violent behavior becomes a common experience for many in America during this time of year, it is important to know what to do if you or any of your loved ones are in a situation involving domestic violence. Signs to look for are emotional or psychological abuse. Some examples of these could be manipulation, control, or unnecessary comments used to insult or humiliate the victim. Physical signs to look for are violent behavior, such as slamming doors, hitting furniture, or walls. It’s important to note that domestic violence isn’t always an event that happens while being conscious. If you notice bruises, cuts, or marks on the body that were not there before being conscious, seek help as soon as possible.
Overall, domestic violence is a serious issue that occurs not only during the Super Bowl but all year round. It is important to note that if you or your loved ones are ever in a situation where you can’t guarantee your safety, there are resources to reach out to. These resources include Emergency Services (911), the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233), the National Child Abuse Hotline (800-422-4453), and many more. Events such as the Super Bowl should be a time for celebrations and friendly competition, not a time to be concerned for the safety of you or your family.
