Chapter 11, Power and Violence in Marriages and Families Key Terms

power The ability to exercise one’s will. personal power Power exercised over oneself.

social power The ability of people to exercise their wills over the wills of others. resource hypothesis The relative power between wives and husbands result from their relative resources as individuals.

principle of least interest Partner with the least commitment to the relationship is the one who is more apt to exploit the other. peer marriage Couples with no worse than a 60-40 split on childrearing, housework and control of funds.

near peers Couple who believes in equality but the arrival of children and the desire to maximize income means husband can’t participate as much as the couples egalitarian ideals require. traditional peers Males dominate decision making except regarding children and wife does not seek equality.

No-power Both partners wield almost equal power. intimate partner abuse Physical or emotional abuse of spouses, cohabitating or noncohabitating relationship partners or former spouse or intimate partners.

child abuse Overt acts of aggression towards children. child neglect Acts of omission, falling to provide adequate physical or emotional care for children.

emotional child abuse or neglect Parent being overly harsh or critical, failing to provide guidance or being uninterested in a child’s needs. sexual abuse A child being forced, tricked or coerced into sexual behavior.

elder abuse Overt acts of aggression towards the elderly. Caregiver Model of Elder Abuse Views abusive or neglectful caregivers as individuals who are overwhelmed by the requirements of caring for elderly family members.

Domestic Violence Model of Elder Abuse Views elder abuse as a form of family violence.