Intro To Domestic Violence
There are a number of factors associated with domestic violence in straight relationships that are usually discussed (Riggs et al, 2000). Typically, the following list is offered:
- History of Aggressive Behavior
- History of Abuse as a Child or Witnessing Parental Abuse
- Large Power or Status Differential
- Isolation and Lack of Resources
- Controlling Relationships
- Poorly Defined Masculinity and Identity
- Mental Illness such as Alcoholism or Other Drug Abuse
The General Model
The general model explaining domestic violence has been one of male power and privilege ultimately leading to its logical conclusion, that of abuse of women. Merrill (1996) offers a gender-neutral model as follows. There are three underlying causes to domestic violence, and these would apply in straight, gay, and lesbian cases:
- First, there is learning to abuse. Learning to resort to violence comes from three factors:
- instruction by others to act in violent or threatening ways,
- modeling of violent or controlling behavior, and
- reward of controlling and threatening behavior
- Second, after someone learns to be violent, they must have the opportunity to abuse. This model is consistent with the risk factors noted above in that two factors would provide the opportunity to abuse: power differences and isolation. Power differences may stem from a number of factors, including:
- sexism
- homophobia
- racism
- income disparity
- ageism
- disability
- health (including pregnancy)
Isolation means that:- the abuser is less likely to be caught
- conflict is more likely to escalate
- the victim is more likely to become depressed and less likely to see any way out of the relationship.
- Third, given learning and opportunity, the abuser must choose to abuse. This model is consistent with the risk factors noted above in that poor communication skills, impulse control that is weakened by substance use, and distorted ideas about gender roles and the permissibility of violence could all lead to the choice to resort to threats, control, and violence as a means to achieve one's wishes.