Where do We go From Here?Chapter 14

Social Changes

Awareness of family violence:

Awareness of Child abuse in the Great DepressionAwareness of spousal abuse during the feminist

movement in the 60’s and 70’s. Awareness of elder abuse as life expectancy goes upExpansion of terms and definitions of abuse by activists

and scholars.

Theories and Methods

Family Theories Focuses on the family as a unit with complex relationships Members may seek violence in conflict as a form of

corporal punishment or because they lack other skills.Environmental/Contextual Explanations focus on the role that environmental stressors and

context play in producing family violence.Feminist/ Power Theories Focus on the role that power and privilege play in family

violence. Abuse done by those of higher status and victims are

members of oppressed groups.

Data Collection

• Data is collected through surveys, interviews and the reporting that is required of various agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.• The Conflict Tactics Scale- survey tool used in order to

explore the utility of family theory in explaining family violence.

Data on Family Violence

• Statistical estimates are often flawed and underestimate the actual incidents. • 2.3 million Americans over 60 experience abuse• 5.8 million children experience abuse each year• The most common form of abuse is IPV- 50% of

all women will experience one abusive incident

Consequences Associated with IPV

The costs to families in the US:• Ruins individual lives• Boys who see IPV growing up have triple the risk for

committing violence against future partners. • They learn that women have no value

• Perpetrators lose out on the “American Dream”

The Intergenerational Transmission of Violence• Intergenerational transmission of violence theory: the

belief that the predilection to be violent and abusive, especially the likelihood of becoming a batterer, is inherited from one generation to another.• Via advice from abusive fathers, children can learn

beliefs about gender, masculinity and femininity. • Men intend to teach their sons how to be masculine• Men also teach their sons about the roles of women.

Proposals for Change

• Problems with Law Enforcement • Ideology on corporal punishment and gender roles

constrain responders ability to identify abuse• When confronted, victims are often too scared to press

charges.• In ‘fight back cases,’ responders report that it is hard to

tell who initiated. • Unwillingness to serve and enforce protective orders

• ***Because of all of the above, prosecutors are reluctant to pursue these cases***

Recommendations• Education!!• Incarceration when necessary• Rehabilitation, reeducation programs- alternatives to

incarceration• Restorative Justice Models-built on the assumption that

families will try to stay together or reunite if they have the freedom to do so.

Prevention• Prevention and early education programs could be

implemented into existing institutions.• Healthy relationships programs- promote relationships based

on partnership rather than traditional gender roles. • Parenting and caregiving programs:• Monthly newsletters from hospitals to new parents could be

extended to incorporate disciplinary techniques.

Intervention• Most abuse takes the form of physical or sexual abuse, and

thus it cannot always be prevented. • Intervention has to occur institutionally. • Routine screening for abuse• Health care staff must be educated. • Education programs

The Root of the Problem: Inequality

• All forms of family violence are outgrowths of inequalities. • Individuals hold social powers (patriarchy, age) and can

use this power to yield abuse.

Disrupting Inequalities• Economic Reform• Men and women should both contribute to their households,

unless one is incapable of doing so.• Give a living wage to all employees• Diminish the wage gap

Dismantling Patriarchy

• The Gender Inequality Regime- male domination in which men are described as superior and women inferior, makes IPV logical as gender relations are made up of domination and control.

• Rigid breadwinner roles are strictly enforced• Ex: Family and Medical Leave Act

• Idea of women as property• Ex: abuse occurs often when they act as if they are free.

***IPV is a form of rule and enforcement***

Relationships as Partnerships

•How do we make relationships into partnerships?