Citation

Hamel JM. Int. J. Mens Health 2009; 8(1): 41-59.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Men's Studies Press)

DOI

10.3149/jmh.0801.41

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In an article previously published in this journal (Hamel, 2007) the author contradicted the patriarchal paradigm which has guided domestic violence research, intervention and policy for the past three decades. The current article critically examines the two major alternative models, beginning with the post-patriarchal/asymmetry paradigm, which acknowledges that most intimate partner abuse consists of "situational" or "common couple" violence, which is conflict-driven, has relatively minor consequences, and is initiated by women as well as men. However, this model incorrectly assumes that men perpetrate the overwhelming majority of severe abuse, known as "battering" or "intimate terrorism." The article concludes with a discussion of the gender-inclusive model, which holds that intervention and policy should draw upon all of the available data. According to the latest research, most domestic violence is mutual, men and women emotionally abuse and control one another at approximately equal rates, intimate terrorists are equally likely to be male or female, men suffer one-third of physical injuries, and males and females are equally affected by emotional abuse. In short, domestic violence is a human and relational problem, not a gender problem. Implications of these findings are discussed with respect to prevention, intervention and policy.