NCJ Number
48529
Date Published
1978
Length
252 pages
Annotation
PATTERNS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE WHICH ERUPT IN WIFE BEATING, CHILD ABUSE, ABUSE OF THE ELDERLY ('GRANNY BASHING'), AND INCEST ARE EXAMINED. THE COMPLEX INTERACTIONS WHICH ACCOMPANY FAMILY VIOLENCE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THIS BRITISH BOOK EXAMINES THE RELUCTANCE OF SOCIETY TO FACE THE FACTS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE UNTIL THE 1900'S, AND THE REFUSAL TO MAKE USEFUL PROVISIONS FOR VICTIM AID, WHICH HAS CONTINUED INTO THE LATTER HALF OF THE 20TH CENTURY. ONLY RECENTLY HAVE THE PROBLEMS OF WIFE BEATING COME INTO THE OPEN. SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WIVES ARE STILL HARD TO COME BY AND HOUSING AUTHORITIES OFTEN MAKE IT QUITE DIFFICULT FOR THE WIFE TO LEAVE THE DISTRICT AND GET NEW HOUSING. THE RESPONSE TO CHILD ABUSE IS SWIFTER ON THE PART OF SOCIAL AGENCIES, BUT AGAIN, FRAGMENTATION OF EFFORT IS MORE COMMON THAN NOT. THE BOOK ALSO EXAMINES 'GRANNY BASHING,' ASSAULTS AGAINST AN ELDERLY PERSON LIVING IN THE HOME. THIS DIFFERS OFTEN FROM OTHER FORMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE IN THAT IT OFTEN ERUPTS WITHOUT PRIOR PATTERNS OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR. OFTEN IT IS THE RESULT OF A TIRED MAN OR WOMAN SIMPLY SHAKING AN ELDERLY PERSON MUCH AS ONE WOULD SHAKE AN ANNOYING CHILD. THE NEED FOR DAY CARE CENTERS OR SITTERS FOR THE ELDERLY TO ALLOW THE CHILDREN A DAY AWAY IS EMPAHSIZED. THE PROBLEM OF INCEST IS ALSO EXAMINED. VARIOUS TYPES OF SHELTERS AND OTHER INTERVENTION MEASURES ARE DESCRIBED AND EVALUATED. THE PROBLEMS FACING SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES ARE EXAMINED. THE FINAL CHAPTER ALSO EXPLORES THE ROLE OF MOTHER-CHILD BONDING DURING BIRTH AND SPECULATES ON THE ROLE HOSPITAL PRACTICE PLAYS IN THE BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME BY MAKING THE FATHER FEEL LEFT OUT. THE NEED FOR SUPPORTING SOCIAL AGENCIES HAS BEEN ACCEPTED BY A SOCIETY WHICH FOCUSES ON PATHOLOGY. THE NEED FOR PREVENTION IN THE FORM OF SOCIAL AND FAMILY SUPPORT HAS NOT BEEN ACCEPTED. EARLY INTERVENTION AND REEDUCATION OF FAMILY MEMBERS ARE CALLED ESSENTIAL IF THE PATTERN OF FAMILY VIOLENCE IS TO BE BROKEN. (GLR)