NCJ Number
35519
Journal
Victimology - An International Journal Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1976) Pages: 54-70
Date Published
1976
Length
17 pages
Annotation
EXAMINATION OF SOME OF THE FACTORS ACCOUNTING FOR THE HIGH DEGREE TO WHICH WIVES ARE THE VICTIMS OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BY HUSBANDS WHICH ATTRIBUTE INTRAFAMILY VIOLENCE TO THE STRUCTURE OF FAMILY AND SOCIETY.
Abstract
EXAMPLES OF CULTURAL NORMS LEGITIMIZING MARITAL VIOLENCE FOUND IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM, LITERARY WORKS, AND SOCIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EXPERIMENTS AND SURVEYS ARE DISCUSSED. THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SEXISM TO THE FREQUENCY OF WIFE BEATING THROUGH THE VIOLENCE USED TO MAINTAIN POWER POSITIONS, ANTAGONISM ENGENDERED BY SEX ROLE DIFFERENTIATION, THE PERCEIVED INABILITY OF WIVES TO ESCAPE FROM MARRIAGE TO A VIOLENT HUSBAND, AND THE MALE-ORIENTED ORGANIZATION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR WOMEN TO SECURE LEGAL PROTECTION FROM ASSAULTS BY THEIR HUSBANDS ARE ANALYZED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT LIBERATION OF BOTH SEXES IS NEEDED TO EFFECT A SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN WIFE-BEATING.