NCJ Number
45275
Date Published
1977
Length
46 pages
Annotation
FUNDAMENTAL AND SPECIFIC CAUSES OF WIFEBEATING, PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO DEAL WITH EACH OF THESE CAUSES, AND TREATMENT STEPS FOR HANDLING EXISTING CASES OF WIFEBEATING ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE AUTHOR TAKES ISSUE WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL/ PSYCHIATRIC VIEW THAT PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE IS AN OUTGROWTH OF PATHOLOGICAL MALE AGGRESSIVENESS OR OF FEMALE MASOCHISM. RATHER, HE SHOWS THAT WIFEBEATING IS LARGELY A REFLECTION OF THE NATURE OF THE SOCIETY AND OF THE SEX ROLES AND SEX-TYPED PERSONALITY TRAITS CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT SYSTEM. SIX SOCIAL STRUCTURAL CAUSAL FACTORS ARE CONSIDERED: (1) CULTURAL NORMS PERMIT AND LEGALIZE WIFEBEATING; (2) WIFEBEATING REFLECTS SOCIAL VIOLENCE; (3) THE FAMILY IS THE PRIMARY SETTING IN WHICH VIOLENCE IS LEARNED; (4) CONFLICT IN THE FAMILY IS INEVITABLE; (5) SEXUALLY STEREOTYPED ROLES AND SEXISM EXIST IN THE FAMILY AND IN SOCIETY; AND (6) FRUSTRATIONS ARE BUILT INTO THE ECONOMIC SYSTEM SOCIAL POLICIES ARE DELINEATED TO COUNTERACT EACH OF THESE FACTORS AND THEREBY REDUCE THE LEVEL OF WIFEBEATING. THESE PREVENTIVE STEPS ARE FOLLOWED BY AN EXAMINATION OF TREATMENT STEPS WHICH ADDRESS THE IMMEDIATE SITUATION OF MILLIONS OF BATTERED WIVES. REGARDING WHAT THE VICTIM CAN DO, THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THAT SHE GET HELP FROM SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WIVES, HOTLINES, SOCIAL WORKERS, MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY, OR PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS; CANCEL THE 'HITTING LICENSE,' BY MAKING IT CLEAR THAT VIOLENCE WILL NOT BE TOLERATED; BE PREPARED TO LEAVE; GET A JOB; NOT WAIT UNTIL THE SECOND SLAP BEFORE ACTING; PRACTICE PROBLEM-FOCUSED ASSERTIVENESS; OR LEAVE OR TAKE LEGAL ACTION. POLICE, LAWYERS, JUDGES, AND LEGISLATORS CAN ACT TO REMOVE SOME OF THE MANY BARRIERS WHICH NOW PREVENT WOMEN FROM RECEIVING LEGAL PROTECTION FROM BEATINGS. A BROAD PUBLIC AWARENESS AND COMMITMENT TO CHANGE IS NECESSARY TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF WIFEBEATING. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (DAS)