NCJ Number: 60727
Title: WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE WHO NEEDS ENEMIES - INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORTS FOR THE PATRIARCHY AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Author(s): R E DOBASH; R P DOBASH
Date Published: 1978
Page Count: 44
Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice/
Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
Language: English
Country: United Kingdom
Annotation: THIS PAPER DISCUSSES PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY BATTERED WOMEN IN GETTING HELP FROM SOCIAL AGENCIES, DOCTORS, COURTS, AND POLICE, AND THE EFFECTS OF COMMON SOCIAL ATTITUDES ABOUT WIFE BEATING.
Abstract: BATTERED WOMEN OR THEIR HUSBANDS RARELY REPORT WIFE-BEATING INCIDENTS DUE TO SHAME, GUILT, AND FEAR. ALTHOUGH SOCIAL AGENCIES AND POLICE CAN OFFER MUCH-NEEDED HELP, THEY ARE OFTEN INDIFFERENT OR SUSPICIOUS OF BATTERED WOMEN. DOCTORS OFTEN DO NOT WANT TO BECOME INVOLVED BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO BUSY OR LACK HOLISTIC COUNSELING SKILLS. PSYCHIATRISTS, ACCEPTING THE NORM OF MALE DOMINANCE AND FEMALE SUBMISSION, OFTEN VIEW WIFE BEATING AS PROVOKED BY WOMEN WHO REFUSE TO BE SUBMISSIVE OR WHO WANT TO BE VICTIMIZED. FURTHER, SINCE WOMEN PLAY AN IMPORTANT PART IN FORMING A CHILD'S CHARACTER, THEY ARE OFTEN BLAMED FOR THE CHILDHOOD PERSONALITY DEFICIENCIES THAT EVENTUALLY LEAD TO ADULT VIOLENCE. THUS, PSYCHIATRISTS MAY UNWITTINGLY JUSTIFY OR HELP OTHERS JUSTIFY WIFE BEATING, INCLUDING THOSE WHO SEEK THEIR HELP IN ESCAPING IT. BELEAGUERED SOCIAL AGENCIES OFTEN IGNORE BATTERED WOMEN SINCE THE PROBLEM DOES NOT AFFECT LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE. SOCIAL WORKERS THEMSELVES ARE OFTEN UNSYMPATHETIC TO BATTERED WIVES; THEIR TRAINING TEACHES THEM TO DETACH THEMSELVES FROM THEIR CLIENTS, THEY ACCEPT TRADITIONAL PSYCHIATRIC OPINION ABOUT WOMEN, OR CONSIDER VIOLENCE A PART OF LIFE FOR CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE. POLICE BECAUSE THEY ARE INADEQUATELY TRAINED OR ENCOURAGED NOT TO INTERFERE IN FAMILY PROBLEMS, DO NOT OFTEN ARREST WIFE BEATERS OR CONSIDER SUCH ASSAULTS CRIMES UNLESS THE WIFE INCURS SERIOUS BODILY HARM. THEY DO NOT WISH TO INVADE THE SANCTITY OF THE HOME, BELIEVING THE WIFE WILL NOT PRESS CHARGES. ALTHOUGH THE WORK IS ANNOTATED, FOOTNOTES ARE NOT INCLUDED. (PAP)
Index Term(s): Abusing spouses; Assault and battery; Battered wives; Domestic assault; Shelters for Battered Women
Note: PAPER PRESENTED AT THE IX WORLD CONGRESS OF SOCIOLOGY, UPPSALA, SWEDEN, AUGUST 1978
To cite this abstract, use the following link: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=60727
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