Citation

Moloney L. J. Fam. Stud. 2008; 14(2-3): 157-159.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa- Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.5172/jfs.327.14.2-3.157

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this special edition of Journal of Family Studies (JFS) discusses the articles that focus on men as clearly defined perpetrators and women and children as clearly defined victims. One of the article points out the traditional feminist critique of violence grew out of an appreciation by pioneer researchers that many of the women seeking refuge from violent situations were indeed victims whose partners or husbands were motivated by a need to keep them 'under control'. Thus since the 1970s much of the theorizing about violence has been about men's sense of entitlement, driven in turn by an essentially patriarchal culture. This theorizing remains an important part of the picture. But a growing body of research based on population studies rather than clinical samples, has pointed to the existence of widespread female-initiated violence, as well as widespread reciprocal violence between men and women. My aim in raising this issue is not to enter formally into these debates - and certainly not to somehow diminish the lived experience of the victims of violence and abuse. It is extremely important that we both hear the stories of victims and hear their understanding of the causes and impact of violence. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)