NCJ Number
109996
Journal
Journal of Counseling and Development Volume: 65 Issue: 7 Dated: (March 1987) Pages: 351-355
Date Published
1987
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article examines male violence from cultural, historical, social, and individual perspectives; the ways in which men express violence; and the remediation of violent behavior through counseling.
Abstract
Social mores, familial experiences, and individual choice are all contributing factors in men's propensity toward violence. If male violence is to be reduced, then political, educational, and psychotherapeutic interventions must be made on many levels. By readjusting the power differential between men and women (e.g., job opportunities, compensation, sexual harassment policies, affirmative action) on social and institutional levels, the women's movement and the men's movement are working to change the attitudes, behaviors, and policies of a system that sanctions male superiority and privilege. On the individual and familial levels, therapists are working with clients and their families to help stop the cycle of violence that is often passed from generation to generation. The direct violence of men is expressed against women, men, children, and themselves. Subtle forms of male violence are manifested in sexism and misogyny, homosexism, homophobia, racism, and ageism. The counselor's role in reducing both direct and indirect forms of male violence is to help the client get in touch with the personal hurt that underlies the violence. Other aspects of intervention are re-education, the client's cognitive and emotional realization of the hurt caused by the violence, the development of client behaviors that permit the management of his life without having to control and dominate others, and the client's experiencing self-forgiveness. 31 references and a list of organizations and resources dealing with male violence. (Author abstract modified)