NCJ Number
102154
Date Published
1983
Length
127 pages
Annotation
This book uses case studies to challenge myths about wife abuse, identifies social factors that contribute to wife abuse, profiles the battered woman and abusing man, discusses interaction patterns among violent couples, and recommends means for victims and the community to address wife abuse.
Abstract
The case studies challenge the myths that wife abuse is restricted to the lower class, that victims provoke and enjoy the abuse, that the problem can be solved by the criminal justice system, and that victims are attracted to violent men. The historical review of wife abuse begins with the Middle Ages and proceeds through the emergence of the modern woman. Social factors currently contributing to wife abuse include social approval of wife abuse, media portrayals of violence against women, sex role models, and the unresponsiveness of the legal system. The battered woman's characteristics include low self-esteem, adherence to a traditional sex role model, an inability to deal with anger, and a lack of self-nurturance. Batterer characteristics include emotional insecurity, poor verbal communication, a need to dominate and also be dependent, and adherence to the traditional sex role model. The pattern of couple interaction in domestic assault consists of a prebattering stage, the first incident, cycles of violence, < and a progressive deterioration in the relationship. Victims should not blame themselves, should talk to someone about their plight, and should get help for their children. The community can help by improving the legal system's response to battering and by developing programs for victims and abusers. Chapter references.