Verified Document

Domestic Violence Term Paper

¶ … theories listed, the relative deprivation theory and the general strain theory best explain domestic violence, as well as the high rate of recidivism, despite punishment. However, we should mention in the very beginning that each theory listed best explains a certain category of people, generally divided by income and level of education. The two I have selected are a match for the highest percentage of women batterers. The relative deprivation theory believes that domestic violence occurs when there is a significant difference in the achievements of each of the members of the couple. In general, in my opinion, these tend to be professional achievements and the theory is best exemplified by those couples where the husband is unemployed or having a job that is not satisfying, while the wife is earning much more than him and is the one contributing most to the family budget.

The relative deprivation theory was actually discussed when referring to the differences between the poor and rich classes and was created as an explanation for rising crime rates in different urban areas. When apply to such a level, the theory includes not only income differences, but also issues such as racial discrimination, inequality of chances, etc.

Let's discuss how this theory works to explain domestic violence. There are two levels of frustration we should consider on behalf of the batterer. First of all, there is the family level I have already mentioned: the woman has a more successful career and earns more money. There are several reasons for the man to feel frustrated. One of them is related to pride. The man has always perceived himself as the provider for the family. In this case, not only does the fact that he no longer provides count, but, additionally, he is provided for.

On the other hand, there is still a general...

For the woman, this is not a necessity: she may have a professional career, but it is not part of her 'must job description'.
The elements I have provided in the previous paragraphs form the necessary causality for domestic violence. Indeed, they are enough to "form negative self-feelings and hostility"

. Before turning into domestic violence, the negative self-feelings are likely to pass through alcoholism and deviatory behavior. As for hostility, this obviously contributes straight away at producing a negative climate in the household. From this to actual violence there is but one single step.

The general strain theory is also an excellent explanatory theory in our case, as it "helps identify micro- or individual-level influences of strain"

. I need to emphasize the fact that, in my personal opinion, the theories that explain the formation of violent behavior, leading to domestic violence, on a personal and individual level are best. I will detail in the last paragraphs why I think they apply better than the social theories in this case.

The general strain theory, developed by Robert Agnew, relates criminal behavior to "negative affective states"

. The sources of strain are numerous and we may acknowledge that we come across them in every aspect of our lives. These include failing to achieve certain goals (socially and professionally, in my opinion, and closely linked to the previous theory I have presented), a strong differentiation between one's expectations and his actual achievements (a significant source of stress: where I should be and where I actually am) and the removal of positively values stimuli

(in the case of a household, this may be the loss…

Sources used in this document:
Bibliography

1. Harmon, Patricia Anne. Why do men batter women? Assessing empathy, self-regard and narcissism levels, and attitudes toward women, men's roles and family of origin experiences among middle to upper class male batterers. Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences & Engineering, Vol 62(12-B), 2002. pp. 6023. U.S.: Univ Microfilms International

2. Chapter 5: Social Structure Theory: Because they are poor

Chapter 5: Social Structure Theory: Because they are poor. Page 143

Ibid.
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Domestic Violence
Words: 1432 Length: 5 Document Type: Term Paper

Domestic violence is an insidious problem that affects communities large and small within the entire nation. It is a problem that affects young and old, affluent and underprivileged alike. There are many ways to view domestic violence. Though domestic violence may be defined in many ways, for purposes of this evaluation will be defined as violence that occurs between two individuals living together (Davis, 1998). Typically these individuals will be

Domestic Violence
Words: 1389 Length: 4 Document Type: Literature Review

Domestic violence and domestic abuse is a world-wide epidemic. The prevalence of the occurrences of domestic violence is attributable to several variables: cultural differences between partners, alcohol and drug abuse, poverty, and mental issues of aggression, impulse, and character. Psychologists and sociologists have attempted to prove which of these components has the most important impact on whether or not a man will become abusive to his spouse. I say male

Domestic Violence
Words: 1175 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Domestic Violence CASE young female comes to your office looking frightened and dishelved. She made an appointment with you earlier that day. She keeps looking around and appears to be nervous. She discloses that she was beaten up by her boyfriend who she lives with, and she thinks he is following her. She is frightened because he said he would kill her if she told anyone what happened. She tells you

Domestic Violence
Words: 791 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

Domestic Violence Each year, many battered women kill their husbands after years of abuse and violence. Murder, obviously, is against the law, making the actions of these women an offense. The killing abusive husbands forces society to reconcile the desperation of these women with a need to respect and maintain the law. Such reconciliation can involve the use of self-defense as a legal tactic, reduced sentences, and potentially charging women with

Domestic Violence
Words: 1228 Length: 3 Document Type: Term Paper

Domestic Violence In our society, there has been an increasing identification of the occurrence of domestic violence for the past two decades. There are many types of domestic violence like physical mistreatment, sexual exploitation, emotional assault, and maltreatment to property and pets. Domestic violence is prevalent and takes place in all socioeconomic groups. A study of about 6000 American families were done, which showed that between 53% and 70% of male

Domestic Violence
Words: 800 Length: 2 Document Type: Term Paper

Domestic Violence The Reasons that Women are Violent in Relationships The evidence demonstrates that women engage in violent activities at a rate approaching the levels engaged in by men. However, the victims of domestic violence are overwhelmingly characterized as female and the perpetrators as male. How can one reconcile the fact that women and men engage in a similar number of aggressive behaviors with the fact that the victims of domestic violence

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now