domestic violence

Question 1

what is domestic abuse?

Answer 1

• defined by the home office (2013) as ‘controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse’
• includes psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse
• sexual violence is common in marriage - 1 in 4 women get raped in marriage (rape in marriage became criminalised in 1991)

Question 2

victim report statistics

Answer 2

• victims may be unwilling to report out of fear of reprisals and not being taken seriously
• two thirds of all victims do not report domestic violence
• on average a woman suffers 35 assaults before making a report
• only 1 in 20 cases result in conviction

Question 3

what does DAVID CHEAL (POSTMODERNIST) say about domestic violence and the family?

Answer 3

he says the police/prosecutors may be reluctant to get involved in family disputes because:

• the family is a private matter
• the family is a good thing - ‘neglect the dark side’
• individuals are free to leave the family

Question 4

what are feminist views on the family?

Answer 4

• they disagree with the functionalist view that the family is warm and supportive
• say it can be an oppressive place for women and men
• referred to as the dark side of the family

Question 5

what are radical feminist views on the family/domestic violence?

Answer 5

• rebecca and russel DOBASH: domestic violence is evidence of patriarchy
• argue the patriarchal nuclear family is the main source of oppression in society
• marriage gives power and authority to men over women
• violence can be triggered when a woman challenges a man
• men can dominate women through violence or the threat of violence
• women find it hard to leave because they are financially dependent on the men
• male dominated instillations explain why police/courts are reluctant to deal with domestic violence

Question 6

what are the marxist feminist views on the family/domestic violence?

Answer 6

• FRAN ANSLEY describes wives as ‘the takers of sh*t’
• domestic violence is the product of capitalism
• male workers are exploited at work and take out their frustrations on their wives

HOWEVER:

• this fails to explain why all male workers don’t commit acts of violence
• fails to explain female violence against men

Question 7

what is the material explanation to domestic violence?

Answer 7

• RICHARD WILKINSON and KATE PICKETT focus on material/economic factors
• violence as a result of stress and economic inequality
• usually occurs in families with low incomes and overcrowded accommodation

HOWEVER:

• this doesn’t explain why women are the main victims of domestic violence
• doesn’t explain violence amongst the wealthy