NCJ Number
37672
Journal
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON FAMILY RELATIONS Volume: 12 Dated: (AUGUST 2, 1975) Pages: 1-29
Date Published
1975
Length
29 pages
Annotation
PAPER REPORTING ON RESEARCH CONDUCTED TO TEST THE IDEA THAT THE USE OF THREAT OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE UNDERLIES THE EXISTING FAMILY STRUCTURE.
Abstract
THE RESEARCH WAS DESIGNED TO EXPLORE TWO CLOSELY RELATED ISSUES CONCERNING PHYSICAL VIOLENCE IN MARRIAGE. THE FIRST OF THESE ISSUES IS THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MAINTENANCE OF MALE DOMINANCE IN THE FAMILY. THE SECOND IS THE THEORY THAT HUSBANDS WHO LACK CERTAIN VALUED PERSONAL TRAITS AND MATERIAL POSSESSIONS TEND TO SUBSTITUTE PHYSICAL VIOLENCE TO MAINTAIN A POSITION OF SUPERIORITY. DATA WERE OBTAINED FROM QUESTIONNAIRES IN WHICH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WERE ASKED TO DESCRIBE THE CONFLICTS AND MODES OF DEALING WITH CONFLICTS USED BY THEIR PARENTS DURING THEIR SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL. THE RESULTING CORRELATIONS WERE GENERALLY FOUND TO BE LOW. THEY INDICATED THAT THERE IS LITTLE OR NO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CONJUGAL BALANCE OF POWER AND THE USE OF VIOLENCE BY EITHER SPOUSE AND THAT THE GREATER THE HUSBAND'S RESOURCES, THE LESS HIS USE OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE.