The article “The direct and indirect effects of domestic violence on the intellectual functioning of young children” states that “child witnesses (ages 4-9; n = 38) had a significantly greater learning problems according to maternal report compared to a control group of children (n^42) from similar backgrounds who had experienced recent nonviolent stressful events” (Huth-Bocks, p. 272). Many children exposed to violence need a little more help learning than those who have not been exposed. Exposed children likely have very short attention spans. However, other people argue that exposed children simply don't want to learn. Studies show that “current domestic violence has had a direct effect on children's verbal skills” (Huth-Bocks, p. 280). Exposure to domestic violence can prevent a child from speaking properly, which makes it more difficult for the child to learn. When a child can't speak, he probably doesn't understand what others might say to him. They may not be able to understand simple commands, so they would not be able to learn like other children who are not exposed to violence. However, people argue that children who have verbal problems are probably just born that way. They may say that the child may have a brain malfunction, so he is unable to learn. Exposed children do not receive the same attention, either