WIFE BEATING - HOW COMMON AND WHY?

• NCJ Number: 46161
• Journal: Victimology Volume: 2 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (1977-1978) Pages: 443-458
• Author(s): M A STRAUS
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH-27557; MH-13050
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Corporate Author: Visage Press, Inc
• Sale Source: Crimes Against Children Research Center
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE ON 'BATTERED WIVES - DEFINING THE ISSUES', CENTER FOR RESEARCH ON WOMEN, STANFORD UNIVERSITY, MAY 20, 1977, AND AT THE 2ND WORLD CONGRESS, INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY ON FAMILY LAW, MONTREAL, JUNE 14, 1977

Annotation

THE FINDINGS OF A NATIONWIDE SURVEY OF 2,143 COUPLES ARE PRESENTED, AND CAUSES OF SPOUSE BEATING ARE EXAMINED AND IDENTIFIED.

Abstract

THE SURVEY METHODOLOGY IS DESCRIBED: THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION TECHNIQUES (CRT) SCALES WERE USED TO GATHER DATA ON HOW FAMILY MEMBERS ATTEMPT TO DEAL WITH CONFLICTS BETWEEN THEMSELVES. THE PHYSICAL VIOLENCE INDEX OF THE CRT DESCRIBES THE EXTENT TO WHICH VIOLENT ACTS ARE CARRIED OUT AND THE PROPORTION OF FAMILIES IN WHICH THEY HAVE EVER OCCURRED. THE AUTHOR IS REASONABLY CERTAIN THAT THE GROUP OF COUPLES CHOSEN FOR THIS SURVEY WAS REPRESENTATIVE OF ALL AMERICAN COUPLES. FOR THE MOST PART, INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE WERE UNDERREPORTED EITHER BECAUSE THE COUPLES DID NOT FEEL THAT THE SPECIFIC INCIDENT WAS IMPORTANT OR BECAUSE THE VIOLENCE WAS TOO SEVERE TO DISCUSS. ONLY COUPLES LIVING TOGETHER WERE QUESTIONED DUE TO THE HIGH RATE OF VIOLENCE AMONG DIVORCED OR SEPARATED COUPLES. THE MAIN FACTORS WHICH LEAD TO ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST A SPOUSE ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) THE FAMILY AS A SOCIAL GROUP IS CHARACTERIZED BY A HIGH LEVEL OF VIOLENCE; (2) THE UNITED STATES, AS A GENERAL PRACTICE, HAS USED VIOLENCE TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO OR TO ACHIEVE CHANGES; (3) CHILD-REARING PRACTICES TEND TO BE VIOLENT; (4) VIOLENCE WITHIN THE FAMILY IS LEGITIMIZED; (5) THE LINK BETWEEN LOVE AND VIOLENCE IS ESTABLISHED, AND VIOLENCE IS BUILT INTO THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL LEVELS OF PERSONALITY; (6) MALE DOMINACE AND THE USE OF PHYSICAL FORCE TO SHOW IT ARE ACCEPTED: AND (7) THE SEXUAL INEQUALITITES INHERENT IN ALL OF OUR SOCIETAL SYSTEMS LEAVE WOMEN LOCKED IN A BRUTAL MARRIAGE. THE HIGHER LEVEL OF CONFLICT WITHIN FAMILIES IS EXPLAINED IN PART BY THE AMOUNT OF TIME FAMILY MEMBERS SPEND TOGETHER, THE VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES THEY HAVE TO ARGUE ABOUT, AND THE DEGREE OF EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT AMONG THEM. THE FAMILY IS WHERE THE FIRST INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE OCCUR, ARE ESTABLISHED, AND RECEIVE THEIR MEANING AND SOCIAL CONTEXT. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE ACTS OF VIOLENCE IN THE FAMILY BEGIN AS TEACHING LESSONS FOR THE CHILD, E.G., A SLAP ON THE HANDS, AND THEN IN MANY CASES DEVELOP INTO CASES OF CHILD ABUSE. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (BAC)