SPOUSAL ABUSE

Discuss and Analyze Deviancy With Regards To Spousal Abuse

Discuss and Analyze Deviancy With Regards To Spousal Abuse

Introduction

Spousal abuse is defined as assaultive or abusive behavior between adults who are married, cohabiting, or having an ongoing (or had a prior) intimate relationship (Snow, 1997). Battering can be categorized into the following four forms: (a) physical abuse, (b) psychological abuse, (c) sexual abuse, and (d) destruction of property. From the earliest historical times, there has been documentation of the battering of wives. For many centuries, the law as well as social convention have allowed the husband the authority to chastise or use violence against his wife and children. Under the English common law, the wife was regarded as man's property or chattel. The concept “rule of thumb” refers to the legal doctrine that permitted a husband to beat his wife with a stick as long as that stick was no thicker than his thumb.

Although spousal abuse is a very serious problem in this country (Wallace, 2002), and there is strong evidence of a growing problem with elderly abuse, wives are still the most common victims of family violence. The studies estimating the magnitude (prevalence and incidence) of spousal abuse in the United States have varied dramatically. These figures are affected by reporting and definitional variations. Sociologists roughly estimate that between 3 and 6 million women are physically abused by their domestic partners on an annual basis. It is unfortunately true that woman who are slapped and shoved around, methodically beaten, raped, or killed are part of one of our most sacred institutions, the family. (Walker, 1979)

Box 1 Women You Know May be Victims

Domestic violence is a problem shared by women of every age, religion, ethnic background, income, and educational level. Battered women may be any age, 16 or 85. (Wallace, 2002) They are housewives, secretaries, teachers, sales clerks, and lawyers. They live in large cities, small towns, and rural areas. As different as their background may be, battered women have much in common. They are all victims of physical, verbal, or emotional abuse.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, every 18 seconds, somewhere in America, a woman is beaten.

50% of American wives are beaten by their partners at least once during their married lives.

20% of hospital emergencies are cases in which women are beaten by their partners.

25% of all reported victims of spousal abuse are pregnant women.

Over 40% of women who are ...