Chapter 6 Family Violence

Introduction Everyday, thousands of women in the U.S., along with children & older persons: –Are targets of family violence The family is one of the most violent social institutions © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Myths About Family Violence Myth: family violence affects only the poor Myth: violence and love are so opposite that they cannot exist together Myth: being abused as a child associated with being a child abuser later in life Myth: drugs and alcohol cause family violence © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Extent of Family Violence Using a narrow definition (only physical & sexual violence causing injury) each year: –14% of wives experience marital rape –3% of wives experience beatings –6% of children experience child abuse –2% of the elderly are abused © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Marital Rape Marital rape: raping of a woman by her husband –most prevalent form of forced sex –14% of wives –most involve the use of physical force –forced anal intercourse occurs more often than vaginal rapes © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Marital Rape Three causes: –sexist belief that husbands are entitled to have sex with their wives –husbands’ attempts to punish wives –husbands’ attempts to use rape as a form of control over wives © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wife Beating Spouse assault involve 1/3 of all couples every year Abusive husbands act as if they have license to batter their wives Often results in post traumatic stress and “battered woman syndrome” © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wife Beating The overwhelming majority of abused women DO leave abusive relationships Feminist theorists: blame patriarchal society © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Child Abuse Victimizes millions of children a year 20% of women report having: –Suffered sexual abuse from family members during childhood and adolescence Daughters are the most likely victims Fathers and stepfathers are the most likely offenders © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Child Abuse Victims: prone to poor academic performance, delinquency, drugs & crime Causes: –30% of abusers were abused as children –society’s acceptance of physical violence as an appropriate method to discipline children –poverty, unemployment, and lack of education © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Global Perspective: Female Genital Mutilation Reasons: –patriarchy –cultural beliefs/cosmetic surgery –value of virginity; circumcision seen as proof –social and psychological benefits to the participant © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Global Perspective: Female Genital Mutilation Female circumcision can take 4 forms Westerners expressed outrage about its cruelty & violation of the rights of women © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Elder Abuse 25% of the elderly require long term care and some are abused by caretakers The elderly who live with over-stressed relatives are the most likely to be abused Neglect, emotional abuse, and financial exploitation are most common abuse © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

A Social Profile of Family Abusers Abusers more likely to be –young –of lower-income –experiencing a stressful home life –socially isolated from others in the community © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

A Social Profile of Family Abusers Except for more serious violence and incest: –Women are slightly more likely than men to victimize children Due to greater responsibility for child care Stressful home life & social isolation also increase the likelihood of family violence © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

A Global Perspective on Family Violence Family violence takes place in every society Family Violence occurs more often in developing countries © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Theories of Family Violence Social learning theory: –People are likely to engage in family violence if they have been exposed to violence In one way or another Learn that violence is an appropriate way to deal with interpersonal problems © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Theories of Family Violence Stress theory: some people who experience stress will turn to violence Exchange theory –Persons are likely to commit violence if the benefit of it is greater than cost of punishment © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Social Responses to Family Violence Sacredness of the family leads to the lenient treatment of family violence Laws against marital rape and battery; –Shelters and safe houses to protect the victims; counseling programs © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Social Responses to Family Violence Doctors and other professionals are required to report child abuse to: –A government child protective service agency No formal government protective service agencies exist for the elderly: –But most states have mandatory reporting laws © 2013, 2010, 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.