Domestic Violence

Question 1

Definition of domestic violence

Answer 1

Physical, sexual, financial and emotional violence or abuse

Question 2

Statistics of domestic violence between men and women

Answer 2

Although, most victims of domestic violence are women, National survey found that there is a relatively narrow gender gap:
7.3% of women compared with 5% of men reported having experienced domestic abuse in the previous year. However, other studies report a wider gap.

Differences in statistics could be because some statistics do not tell us the severity or effects of the abuse. Plus, these statistics are an understatement, as many cases of domestic abuse goes unreported

Question 3

What is Dobash & Dobash’s view on the cause of domestic violence?

What is the radical feminist explanation for the cause domestic violence?

Answer 3

Dobash and Dobash found that violent incidents could be set off by what a husband saw as a challenge to his authority (patriarchy); marriage legitimates violence against women by conferring power and authority on husbands and dependency on wives.

Radical Feminists would agree the family and marriage in a patriarchal society are the source of the domestic violence against women. As, within the family, men dominate and oppress women with domestic violence or the threat of it.

• -RF also believe the male domination of state institutions helps to explain the reluctance of the police and courts to deal effectively with cases of domestic violence
• -In their view helps to explain why most domestic violence cases are committed by men

RF fail to explain female violence including child abuse by women, violence against male partners – 1 in 7 males abused– and abuse within lesbian relationships

Question 4

What is the materialist view on the cause of domestic violence?

Whats is the Marxist Feminist view on the cause of domestic violence?

Answer 4

Wilkinson + Pickett view domestic violence as a result of stress on family members caused by social inequality. E.g low incomes can cause stress. This reduces chances of  maintaining stable, caring relationships and increases risk of conflict and violence.
Wilkinson + Picket found not all people equally in danger of suffering domestic violence; those with less power, status or wealth are more at risk
-Materialist view helps to explain the class differences in the statistics on domestic violence

Marxist Feminists also believe domestic violence is caused by inequality specifically inequality caused by capitalism. Male workers are exploited at work and they take their frustration out on their wives. MF would argue only with overthrow of capitalism will women be protected from the abuse of their partners