NCJ Number
44114
Journal
Social Work Volume: 22 Issue: 61 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1977) Pages: 455-460
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
DATA ON 101 BATTERED WOMEN IN ANN ARBOR, MICH., ARE EXAMINED IN A STUDY OF THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
Abstract
THE STUDY SUBJECTS WERE CLIENTS OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROJECT OF THE ANN ARBOR CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN. THE PROJECT PROVIDED EMERGENCY HOUSING, COUNSELING, REFERRAL, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER SERVICES FOR BATTERED WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN. AMONG SIGNIFICANT FINDINGS ON THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VICTIMS AND THEIR ASSAILANTS ARE THE HIGH LEVEL OF UNEMPLOYMENT FOR BOTH; THE RELATIVELY LOW LEVEL OF EDUCATION, PARTICULARLY AMONG ASSAILANTS; AND CERTAIN STATUS INCONSISTENCIES BETWEEN HUSBANDS AND WIVES. THE FINDINGS SUPPORT THE HYPOTHESIS THAT MALE POWER IS ASSOCIATED WITH VIOLENCE WHEN HUSBANDS ARE LOW IN RESOURCES. THE FINDING THAT FINANCIAL AND INTERPERSONAL STRESSES OFTEN WERE CITED BY VICTIMS AS CAUSES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BRINGS INTO QUESTION THE VIEW THAT SUCH VIOLENCE RESULTS FROM FACTORS WHICH RESPOND TO PSYCHOTHERAPY. OTHER OBSERVATIONS RELATE TO THE UNIFORMLY LOW SELF-ESTEEM OF THE VICTIMS, THE VICTIMS' INTENSE ATTACHMENT TO AND CONCERN FOR THEIR CHILDREN, AND THE ROLE OF ALCOHOL ABUSE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE DATA CONTRADICT THE ASSERTION THAT VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ASSAULT DO NOT LEAVE THEIR HOMES BECAUSE THEY ENJOY BEING BATTERED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT, ALTHOUGH IMPROVING THE ABILITY OF BOTH MEN AND WOMEN TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN ELIMINATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, THE PROBLEM OF BATTERED WOMEN WILL CONTINUE AS LONG AS MEN BELIEVE THAT AGGRESSION AND PHYSICAL VIOLENCE ARE ACCEPTABLE RESPONSES TO STRESS AND FRUSTRATION. TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED.