BATTERED HUSBAND SYNDROME

• NCJ Number: 46165
• Journal: Victimology Volume: 2 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (1977-1978) Pages: 499-509
• Author(s): S K STEINMETZ
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: Visage Press, Inc
• Sale Source: University of Delaware
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE PHENOMENON OF HUSBAND-BATTERING IS EXAMINED, UTILIZING HISTORICAL DATA, COMIC STRIPS AS A REFLECTION OF POPULAR VALUES, AND DATA DERIVED FROM SEVERAL EMPIRICAL STUDIES.

Abstract

HUSBAND-BATTERING HAS PROBABLY TAKEN PLACE JUST AS AS LONG AS WIFE-BATTERING, ALTHOUGH IT IS STILL COVERED UP IN MOST CASES. WITH REGARD TO DOMESTIC-TYPE COMIC STRIPS, STATISTICS REVEALED THAT IN 73 PERCENT OF THE STRIP THE WOMEN WERE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN 10 PERCENT HUSBAND AND WIFE WERE EQUAL; AND IN 17 PERCENT, THE MALE WAS MORE AGGRESSIVE. THE COMIC STRIPS HAD A SURPRISINGLY LARGE FOLLOWING -- 56 PERCENT OF BOTH MALE AND FEMALE READERS RANKED THEM AS MOST COMMONLY READ. THE AUTHOR SUGGESTS THAT COMIC STRIPS BOTH REFLECT FAMILY LIFE AND LIFE STYLES AND REINFORCING FAMILY-RELATED BEHAVIOR. THIS ALLOWS ONE TO BELIEVE THAT MEN ARE ALWAYS BATTERED. STATISTICS SHOW THAT A NUMBER OF HUSBANDS ARE BATTERED, WITH WIVES MANY TIMES USING VIOLENCE MORE THAN THE MALE. THE QUESTION OF WHY HUSBAND-BATTERING HAS BEEN IGNORED CAN BE ANSWERED IN SEVERAL WAYS: (1) IT IS EMBARRASING FOR BOTH THE HUSBAND AND THE WIFE; (2) THERE IS NO TERMINOLOGY TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM; (3) THERE IS A LACK OF INFORMATION ON THE SUBJECT; AND (4) HUSBAND-BEATING IS LESS OBVIOUS PHYSICALLY THAN WIFE-BEATING. STUDIES SHOW THAT WOMEN ARE JUST AS APT AS MEN TO USE VIOLENCE AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE CHILD ABUSERS. HUSBANDS WILL NOT LEAVE THEIR WIVES BECAUSE (1) THE MEN WILL STILL BE FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAMILY, (2) THE BATTERING AND ABUSING WIFE MAY GET CUSTODY OF THE CHILDREN, AND (3) THE HUSBANDS WILL LOSE THE COMFORTS OF HOME. MEN WILL USUALLY NOT RETALIATE BECAUSE OF THE SOCIAL STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH HITTING A WOMAN, BUT WILL COUNTER THE BEATINGS OF THEIR WIVES BY TRYING TO MAKE THEM FEEL GUILTY. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE WIFE SHOULD BE DEEMPHASIZED, BUT THE AWARENESS OF ALL FORMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE SHOULD BE INCREASED. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (BAC)