Domestic Violence

• Domestic violence


  Violence that occurs within the home, often against women by men
• Sociologists argue against the view that domestic violence is the actions of a few disturbed or 'sick' individuals
• Domestic violence is far too widespread to simply be the work of a few disturbed individuals
• The Crime Survey for England and Wales found that 2 million people have reported being victims of domestic abuse in 2012
• Domestic violence does not occur randomly, instead it follows a particular pattern, and these patterns have social causes
• Domestic violence is mainly violence against women by men
• Women were more likely to have experienced 'intimate violence' across all 4 types - partner abuse, family abuse, sexual assault and stalking
• Violence incidents could be set off by what a husband saw as a challenge to his authority


  Such as his wife asking why he was late home
• Marriage legitimises violence against women

  By conferring power and authority on husbands and dependency on wives
• Official statistics understate the true extent of the problem of domestic violence
• Victims may be unwilling to report domestic violence to the police
• Women make a report to the police after suffering 35 assaults on average
• Police and prosecutors may be reluctant to record, investigate or prosecute domestic violence cases
• Reluctance of police and state agencies to get involved in domestic violence


  Due to the fact they see the family as a private sphere where access should be limited, the family as a good thing where they neglect the darker side, and individuals as free agents who can leave abusive situations
• Radical feminist view of domestic violence


  • Interpret findings as evidence of patriarchy, where men are the oppressors and exploiters of women
  • Family and marriage are key institutions that preserve male power over women
• Radical feminists fail to explain female violence, including child abuse by women and violence against male partners and within lesbian relationships
• Groups at greater risk of domestic violence

  • Young women
  • Lowest social classes and in deprived areas
  • Low income or financial difficulties
  • High levels of alcohol consumption
  • Long term illness or disability
• Materialist explanation of domestic violence

  Focuses on inequalities in housing and income to explain why some groups are at greater risk
• Wilkinson and Pickett's view

  • Inequality means some families have fewer resources/live in overcrowded homes = more stress
  • This decreases their chances of maintaining stable, caring relationships and increases the risk of conflict and violence
  • Worries about money, jobs and housing may spill over into domestic conflict as tempers become frayed
  • Lack of money and time restricts people's social circle and reduces social support for those under stress
• Marxist feminists see domestic violence as a product of capitalism, where male workers exploited at work take their frustration out on their wives