NCJ Number
146299
Journal
Crime, Law and Social Change Volume: 20 Issue: 3 Dated: (October 1993) Pages: 249-265
Date Published
1993
Length
17 pages
Annotation
The process of socially constructing the abuse of women includes the essential idea of typification; how abused women are typified can be part of justifying help or providing the scientific justification for a male discourse that legitimizes abuse and buffers batterers from guilt.
Abstract
One researcher argues that the process of typification is essential to social problem construction. Other researchers, including Straus and Gelles, contend that women may be as violent as men, do not necessarily act in self- defense in violent situations, and may ultimately be responsible for male violence. The arguments of Straus and Gelles are assessed in terms of blaming women for their own victimization, and the harmful effects of such blame on policies toward women are discussed. Consideration is also given to media influence in the portrayal of crime and social issues. 97 notes and references