NCJ Number
46804
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE PROBLEM OF VIOLENCE IN THE HOME, INCLUDING WIFE AND CHILD ABUSE, IS STUDIED IN THIS FILMSTRIP AND CASSETTE PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES THE ACTUAL TESTIMONY OF SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO WERE ABUSED.
Abstract
IN MANY STATES, PHYSICIANS AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO REPORT CASES OF CHILD ABUSE. IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NEW YORK, THE NUMBER OF CASES HAS RISEN SUBSTANTIALLY AND ARE DISTRIBUTED EVENLY THROUGHOUT ALL SOCIOECONOMIC LEVELS. THE INCIDENCE OF CASES OF WIFE BEATING FOLLOWS A SIMILAR PATTERN. A BATTERED WIFE CLAIMS THAT MORE CASES OF WIFE ABUSE WOULD BE REPORTED IF THERE WAS SOMEONE TO WHOM TO REPORT THEM. WHEN SHE CALLED THE POLICE, THEY ONLY TOLD HER HUSBAND TO CALM DOWN. MANY WIVES ARE AFRAID TO BRING CHARGES AGAINST THEIR HUSBANDS BECAUSE THEY THINK IT WILL ONLY INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OR SEVERITY OF THE BEATINGS OR THEY HOPE THAT THE BEATINGS WILL STOP. THE CUSTOMARY ATTITUDES TOWARD CHILD AND WIFE ABUSE BEGAN TO CHANGE ONLY AS LATE AS THE 1960'S. A CHILD RELATES HER EXPERIENCE OF SEXUAL ABUSE BY HER FATHER, CLAIMING THAT IT WAS THE REASON BEHIND HER PARENTS' DIVORCE. MANY PARENTS WHO ABUSE THEIR CHILDREN ARE ASKING FOR HELP WHEN THEY TAKE THE CHILDREN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT A HOSPITAL; OFTEN THEY HOPE TO BE REPORTED TO THE AUTHORITIES. PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP IS EXPENSIVE, AND FEW PEOPLE CAN AFFORD IT. A MAN WHO ABUSED HIS WIFE SAYS THAT SHE ASKED FOR IT BECAUSE SHE WAS TRYING TO PROVOKE HIM BY WHINING AND COMPLAINING ALL OF THE TIME. HE ALSO THINKS THAT HIS WIFE IS BETTER OFF SINCE SHE DIVORCED HIM. A BATTERED WIFE REPORTS THAT ALL OF HER FRIENDS HAVE TURNED AGAINST HER BECAUSE SHE SUED HER HUSBAND FOR DIVORCE, CAUSING HIM TO LOSE HIS JOB. SHE HAS BEEN MADE TO FEEL THE GUILTY PARTY. HUSBANDS ARE BEATEN ALSO, BUT THEY ARE TYPICALLY LESS FINANCIALLY TIED TO THE MARRIAGE THAN AN ABUSED WIFE. ONE THEORY OF CHILD ABUSE HOLDS THAT PARENTS WHO WERE ABUSED AS CHILDREN TEND TO BE ABUSING PARENTS THEMSELVES. BECAUSE THEY NEVER HAD ADEQUATE PARENTING OR WERE VERY SELF-CENTERED AND IMMATURE, THEY TAKE THEIR OWN FRUSTRATIONS OUT ON THEIR CHILDREN. WIFE BEATING IS NOT AN EASY PROBLEM TO SOLVE, SINCE MANY WIVES ARE EXTREMELY DEPENDENT ON THEIR HUSBANDS, AND ALSO BECAUSE THERE ARE SO FEW PLACES FOR THEM TO GO FOR HELP. THE PROBLEM OF VIOLENCE IN THE HOME IS VERY WIDESPREAD, BUT NO ONE IS EXACTLY SURE WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT. A DISCUSSION GUIDE IS INCLUDED IN THE SET. (BAC)