VIOLENCE IN THE FAMILY - AN ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH NEEDS

• NCJ Number: 34135
• Author(s): M A STRAUS; R J GELLES; S K STEINMETZ
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 51 pages
• Corporate Author: American Assoc for the Advancement of Science
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS DOCUMENT PROVIDES AN OVERVIEW OF THE EXISTING AND NEEDED RESEARCH ON THE FREQUENCY OF FAMILY VIOLENCE, THE CAUSAL THEORIES OF FAMILY VIOLENCE, VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN AND WIVES, AND FAMILY VIOLENCE FACTORS.

Abstract

THE RESEARCH ON THE FREQUENCY OF FAMILY VIOLENCE INDICATED THAT THE FAMILY IS THE SOCIAL RELATIONSHIP AND SOCIAL SETTING WITHIN WHICH THE TYPICAL CITIZEN IS MOST LIKELY TO BE THE VICTIM OF A PHYSICAL ATTACK. AFTER REVIEWING GENERAL THEORIES OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE, THE PAPER EXAMINES RESEARCH ON THE CHARACTERISTICS WHICH DISTINGUISH THE FAMILY FROM OTHER SMALL GROUPS AND WHICH SEEM TO ACCOUNT FOR THE HIGHER LEVEL OF INTRAFAMILY VIOLENCE THAN IS FOUND IN OTHER GROUPS. RESEARCH ON CHILD ABUSE AND 'WIFE BEATING' IS ALSO DISCUSSED. FINALLY, THE PAPER IDENTIFIES A SERIES OF 17 SPECIFIC CONTROVERSIES CONCERNING THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF INTRAFAMILY VIOLENCE WHICH URGENTLY CALL FOR RESEARCH. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)