NCJ Number
206490
Journal
Violence Against Women: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal Volume: 10 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2004 Pages: 935-949
Date Published
August 2004
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This article summarizes conceptual and methodological issues surrounding cross-national studies of family violence.
Abstract
In June 2003, an international symposium on transnational and cross-cultural research on family violence was convened in Canada. Researchers and practitioners came together to discuss the challenges of conducting cross-national comparative research on family violence. Differences in how researchers conceptualize family violence and differences in research methodology make comparisons problematic, especially when these challenges are coupled with cultural differences in the way family violence is interpreted and dealt with. Participants at the symposium sought to identify differences and similarities observed in multiple nations and cultures; they sought to specify how social context influences the objectives of research and intervention; and they sought to propose directions for future research. Three key conceptual issues emerged during the symposium, and each involve the definitions of: (1) nation and culture; (2) violence; and (3) family relationships. First, the idea of culture is complex because few countries can be considered culturally or ethnically homogenous; as such, the conceptual boundaries of nation and culture are debatable. Second, the expressions or means of violence varies across nations and cultures, as does the acceptability of violence. Third, categories of relationships also vary, as do the scope of studies on family violence. All of these conceptual differences make cross-cultural or transnational research challenging. Methodological issues discussed at the symposium included the need for standardized measurement to make cross-cultural comparisons feasible; the need to develop culturally sensitive interviewing schedules; and the role of complementary qualitative research to supplement quantitative data analysis. Future directions for research include the need for cross-cultural research to support increasingly multicultural programs and policies. Specifically, research should be undertaken to evaluate the variety of family violence programs and interventions implemented in nations throughout the world. References