Why White Women Stay and Black Women Don't - Toward a Theory of Black Domestic Violence

• NCJ Number: 105729
• Author(s): S L Smith
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 39 pages
• Publication Format: Dissertation/Thesis
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Southern Illinois University - master's thesis

Annotation

This thesis examines factors that may contribute to the differential response of black and white women to domestic violence.

Abstract

Analysis focuses on violence in general, interpersonal violence, and the dynamics of black and white marital dyads. When abusive situations arise, white women are more apt to remain in the relationship. Black women are more likely to leave the relationship before it becomes repeatedly assaultive or to react with counterviolence. Black women may be more likely to leave because they are less socially and geographically isolated than white women and they have a strong family network to provide a sense of identity and emotional security. They also are more confident of their ability to support their family and are able to expand the wife and mother role to include that of family provider. Cultural expectations also facilitate their leaving. Finally, because they often react with counterviolence they are less likely to be victims of domestic assault. In contrast, white women are more isolated, family-oriented, and dependent; have fewer kinship ties; and are less likely to react to domestic assault with violence.