A HISTORY OF SOCIALLY SANCTIONED VIEWS OF THE SANCTITY OF THE FAMILY AND THE HUSBAND-WIFE RELATIONSHIP IS TRACED TO REVEAL A LONG-STANDING RELUCTANCE TO DEAL WITH WIFE-BEATING AS A SOCIAL PROBLEM REQUIRING LEGISLATION AND CONCERTED COMMUNITY ACTION. USING DATA FROM CASE STUDIES, INTERVIEWS WITH THERAPISTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS IN CONTACT WITH THE PROBLEM, AND ESTABLISHED RESEARCH FINDINGS, IN ADDITION TO PERSONAL EXPERIENCE FROM THE AUTHOR'S FAMILY BACKGROUND, THE PSYCHOLOGICAL STATES AND BEHAVIOR OF THE WIFE-BEATER ARE DETAILED, AS ARE THOSE OF THE BEATEN WIFE. INSTITUTIONAL, LEGAL, AND SOCIAL FACTORS KEEPING A BEATEN WIFE IN THE MARRIAGE ARE DELINEATED. THE EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE IN THE FAMILY UPON CHILDREN ARE ALSO CONSIDERED. THE EXISTENCE OF WIFE-BEATING AS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN MIDDLE-CLASS, 'RESPECTABLE' FAMILIES IS PARTICULARLY NOTED. HAVING GROWN UP IN A FAMILY WHERE HER FATHER REGULARLY BEAT HER MOTHER AND THREATENED THE CHILDREN, THE AUTHOR GIVES PERSONAL TESTIMONY TO THE TRAUMA OF LIVING IN FEAR AND FRUSTRATION, WITH NO RESORT TO ANY SOURCE OF OUTSIDE INTERVENTION TO CHANGE A DESTRUCTIVE FAMILY ENVIRONMENT. A CHAPTER IS DEVOTED TO THE DELINEATION OF GUIDELINES TO SECURE HELP FOR BATTERED WIVES, WIFE-BEATERS, AND CHILDREN, TOGETHER WITH GUIDELINES FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, COUNSELORS, AND CLERGY IN PROVIDING HELP FOR THE ABUSED AND THE ABUSER. A HOPEFUL FUTURE IS PORTRAYED AS NEW LEGISLATION AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS ARE CITED. THE APPENDIXES INCLUDE A DIRECTORY OF MORE THAN 50 SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WIVES AND THEIR CHILDREN, INCLUDING HOTLINE TELEPHONE NUMBERS; RECOMMENDED PUBLICATIONS AND USEFUL ADDRESSES; AND LEGAL PROCEDURES TO TAKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER OR DURING WIFEBEATING. AN INDEX IS ALSO INCLUDED. (RCB)