Citation

O'Keefe M, Treister L. Violence Against Women 1998; 4(2): 195-223.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12295441

Abstract

This study explores the gender differences in the experience of dating violence by using a multivariate approach and sampling a racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse population. The social learning theory and feminist theory were the theoretical frameworks used to guide this study. The final sample included 939 students (385 boys and 554 girls) in public high schools in the Los Angeles area. The data revealed that gender differences are not significant to the total dating violence experienced. Males reported physical abuse (e.g., being slapped and hit with a fist or object) more often than females, while females reported significantly more sexual abuse than males. Both males and females reported that males were more frequently the initiators of dating violence. With regard to perceived causes of dating violence, victims in both sexes indicated that the most frequent reason for their partners' violence was jealousy. For many males, females' use of physical aggression in dating relationships is not taken seriously, possibly because difference in physical strength. The females' responses to violence indicated greater emotional and psychological injury. Finally, this study identified 4 predictor variables that differ significantly by gender; namely, race, self-esteem, justification of violence, and infliction of dating violence.

Language: en