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There are three widely accepted theories that attempt to explain the incidence of domestic violence in this society. Other theories do exist and all have some validity under the varied circumstances. Sex-Role Socialization or the Feminist Theory: This theory says that abuse is one of the results of our sex-role socialization. Little girls are taught to play with dolls and easy bake ovens; while little boys are told to protect their sisters and to stand up to the neighborhood bully. The message that this kind of socialization process sends is that little girls (women) are weak and that their place is in the home; little boys (men) learn that they are supposed to be aggressive and that their role is superior to the woman's. The result is that men are shouldered with the burden of being the sole breadwinner; and his male ego is wounded when his wife has to go to work to supplement their income. The woman has been taught that she should be placative and submissive, and that she is more or less the property of her husband. Learning Theory: This theory is basically one that suggests that violence is taught by society, through the media, the school system, and by (especially by) the family. It’s true that violence is learned. A child growing up and seeing his father abuse his mother will learn this behavior, and will come to believe that it is a man's right to abuse women. A girl growing up seeing her mother abused by her father may come to see violence as normal in a relationship. Even the child who is physically disciplined to the point of abuse by his/her parents will possibly grow up to see violence as a way of life. He or she will likely learn the message that it is OK to hit someone, that it is alright to use violence as a way to control others and to deal with disagreements or frustrations. It is very important to keep in mind that because violence is learned, and because it is taught to us in part through sex-role socialization,, violent and abusive behaviors of any kind CAN be UNLEARNED. Reinforcement Theory: This theory is a direct outgrowth of the discovery of the Cycle of Abuse. This theory suggests that the loving stage of the cycle reinforces the abuser's violent behavior. Within the cycle, both parties learn that after an episode of violence (the explosive stage), there will come a period of intense loving that reinforces the woman's need to be pampered, and reinforces the man's need to feel loved. He may shower her with gifts and this will reinforce her love for him. She may accept responsibility for the abuse, and he may promise her that it will never happen again. The loving stage of the cycle of abuse does reinforce the abuse, with the promise that after violence there will be intense loving and everything will be great for a while. The reinforcement theory is important--it is in many ways critical that the woman has somewhere to go. It is important that some type of intervention occurs before the loving stage begins. This is just one of many reasons why shelters are necessary and important. |
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