NCJ Number
55455
Date Published
1978
Length
20 pages
Annotation
THE FORCES IN SOCIETY WHICH LEAD TO VIOLENCE IN FAMILIES ARE IDENTIFIED, AND INTERACTIONS BETWEEN 'STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE' AND 'PERSONAL VIOLENCE' ARE EXPLORED. CHANGES IN VALUES AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE ARE URGED.
Abstract
'STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE' IS DEFINED AS SOCIALLY SANCTIONED PRACTICES WHICH OBSTRUCT INNATE HUMAN POTENTIAL AND DEVELOPMENT. 'PERSONAL VIOLENCE' IS AN ASSAULTIVE ACTION WHICH TRANSCENDS FORMAL SOCIAL SANCTIONS. PERSONAL VIOLENCE, ESPECIALLY IN FAMILIES, IS SEEN AS AN OUTGROWTH OF FRUSTRATIONS CAUSED BY SOCIAL CONDITIONS. IN THE UNITED STATES AND MOST EUROPEAN SOCIETIES POWER IS HELD BY A FEW, WHILE MOST MEMBERS OF SOCIETY ARE RELEGATED TO MEANINGLESS JOBS WITH LITTLE CHANCE FOR CREATIVITY. INTENSE COMPETITION FOR 'GOOD JOBS' OFTEN LEADS TO SUSPICION AND HOSTILITY AMONG COWORKERS. FAMILIES MUST ABSORB THE TENSIONS AND FRUSTRATIONS BUILT UP BY SUCH CONDITIONS SINCE SOCIETY PROVIDES NO AVENUES FOR RELEASE FOR VICTIMS OF STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE. THESE TENSIONS ARE ESPECIALLY SEVERE FOR THE UNEMPLOYED, THE MARGINALLY EMPLOYED, THOSE IN MEANINGLESS FACTORY JOBS, AND OTHERS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SOCIAL SCALE. THEY ARE TRAPPED BECAUSE THE MEANS OF MEETING BASIC HUMAN NEEDS--LAND, CAPITAL, RESOURCES--ARE HELD BY A FEW. RESTRUCTURING SOCIETY TO ELIMINATE WASTEFUL SPENDING ON USELESS PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AND TO GIVE EACH MEMBER A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN MEANINGFUL WORK TO MEET BASIC HUMAN NEEDS IS URGED. ONLY WHEN SOCIETY ELIMINATES STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE WILL PERSONAL VIOLENCE BE REDUCED. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)