NCJ Number
18611
Date Published
1972
Length
230 pages
Annotation
RESEARCH STUDY ON THE TYPES, INCIDENCE, AND CAUSES OF VIOLENT ATTACKS BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY HUSBANDS AND WIVES.
Abstract
DATA FOR THIS STUDY WERE GATHERED BY MEANS OF INFORMAL, UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEWS OF A FOCUSED SAMPLE OF 40 FAMILIES WHERE KNOWN INCIDENTS OF VIOLENCE HAD TAKEN PLACE. A GROUP OF 40 NON-VIOLENT NEIGHBOR FAMILIES WERE USED FOR COMPARISON PURPOSES. AVAILABLE DESCRIPTIVE DATA ON THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF FAMILY VIOLENCE ARE REVIEWED. A DISCUSSION OF THE TYPE OF SITUATION WHICH LEADS TO VIOLENCE FOCUSES ON TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL PATTERNS, THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF OTHER PEOPLE, AND THE ASSOCIATION OF ALCOHOL AND VIOLENCE. AN ANALYSIS OF THE VIOLENT FAMILY'S LOCATION IN THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE VIOLENT FAMILY SUGGESTS THAT CERTAIN POSITIONS PRODUCE STRESS THAT CAN LEAD TO INCIDENTS OR PATTERNS OF INTRAFAMILY VIOLENCE. A DETAILED DISCUSSION DEALING WITH THE INTERACTION BETWEEN VICTIM AND OFFENDER THAT LEADS TO AN ATTACK IS ALSO PRESENTED. IN ADDITION, THE THEORY THAT THE FAMILY IS A 'TRAINING GROUND FOR VIOLENCE' IS PROPOSED. THE AUTHOR CONTENDS THAT ROLE MODELS FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE PRESENTED IN EARLY CHILDHOOD ARE TRANSLATED INTO ACTUAL VIOLENCE IN LATER FAMILY LIFE. AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF REFERENCES IS PROVIDED ALONG WITH BOTH SUBJECT AND AUTHOR INDEXES. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS A DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THE TOTAL SAMPLE OF RESPONDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.