Deviance 10e
Alex Thio
Chapter Six:
FAMILY VIOLENCE
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Introduction
Everyday, thousands of women in the
U.S., along with children and older
persons are targets of family violence
The family is one of the most violent social
institutions
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
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 is
associated with being a child abuser later
in life
Myth: drugs and alcohol cause family
violence
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
The Extent of Family Violence
Using a narrow definition (includes only
physical and 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
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
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
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
Marital Rape – cont.
1.
2.
3.
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
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
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”
The overwhelming majority of abused women
DO leave abusive relationships
Feminist theorists: blame patriarchal society
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
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
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
Child Abuse – cont.
Victims are prone to poor academic
performance, delinquency, and
involvement in drugs and 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
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
Global Perspective: Female Genital
Mutilation
Female circumcision can take 4 forms
Westerners have expressed outrage about its
cruelty and the violation of the rights of women
Reasons:
patriarchy
cultural beliefs/cosmetic surgery
value of virginity; circumcision seen as proof
social and psychological benefits to the participant
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
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
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
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
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 and social isolation also
increase the likelihood of family violence
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
A Global Perspective on Family
Violence
Family violence takes place in every
society
Family Violence occurs more often in
developing countries
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
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, and
learn that violence is an appropriate way to deal
with interpersonal problems
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 the
cost of punishment
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
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
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
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2010
