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Woman Battering in the United States

Till Death Do Us Part

Helen M. Eigenberg

The extent and harm of woman battering has long been minimized by society. Like other types of violence against women, battering generally is ignored by academics, professionals, and policymakers who focus instead on violent, random crime committed by strangers. In this exceptional text, Eigenberg shows woman battering as a means of social control, offering a feminist, social constructionist perspective. Informative articles have been selected that enhance and complement the fundamental concepts presented in the book. This much-needed volume, appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate courses, challenges readers to think critically about the social construction of crime-how social definitions of crime might change if the magnitude and seriousness of woman battering were addressed.
 

$30.95 list, 369 pages

10-digit ISBN: 1-57766-169-9

13-digit ISBN: 978-1-57766-169-6

© 2001

“Whereas some treatments of woman battering are theoretical or devoid of social scientific research on the issue, Eigenberg’s work offers a healthy does of both theory and research and challenges readers to reexamine the ways in which they look at the problem of woman abuse.”  — Jennie J. Long, Drew University for Criminal Justice Review

“I loved this book because it truly brought what was previously hidden to light.”  — Gwen Andrews, Virginia Union University

 “The information provided gives the student a comprehensive understanding of domestic violence. I will continue to use it.”  — Stucky Halley, Pittsburg State University

“It’s a great book. The essays are well chosen and I particularly like the attention paid to societal and cultural causes of abuse of women.” —Mary M. Flaherty, Suffolk University

“What I have read I really like! It’s direct and clear. No one can dismiss the issues presented. It will make people reevaluate our indoctrination as a society.” —Ann Bartolo, Fairmont State College

“Very good. I particularly like the anecdotal aspects that fit in nicely to support the material.” —Marilyn Mitchell, Fresno City College

Table of Contents

Chapter I. OVERVIEW
1. “Night to His Day”: The Social Construction of Gender (Judith Lorber)
2. A Letter from a Battered Wife (Del Martin)
Chapter II. THE NATURE, EXTENT, AND CONTEXT OF WOMAN BATTERING
3. Minority Women and Domestic Violence: The Unique Dilemmas of Battered Women of Color (Christine E. Rasche)
4. Effects of the Redesign on Victimization Estimates (Charles Kindermann, James Lynch, and David Cantor)
5. Societal Change and Change in Family Violence from 1975 to 1985 as Revealed by Two National Surveys (Murray A. Straus and Richard J. Gelles)
Chapter III. EXPLAINING BATTERING
6. Violence against Women in the Family: What Causes Violence against Women in the Home (The United Nations)
7. The Causes of Domestic Violence: From Theory to Intervention (Kerry Healey, Christine Smith, and Chris O’Sullivan)
8. Voices of Strength and Resistance: A Contextual and Longitudinal Analysis of Women’s Responses to Battering (Jacquelyn Campbell, Linda Rose, Joan Kub, and Daphne Nedd)
Chapter IV. LEGAL ASPECTS OF BATTERING
9. The Decontextualtization of Domestic Violence (Lisa G. Lerman)
10. When the Batterer Wears Blue: A National Study of the Institutional Response to Domestic Violence among Police (Helen M. Eigenberg and Victor E. Kappeler)
Chapter V. CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM RESPONSE
11. Contributory Factors Affecting Arrest in Domestic and Non-Domestic Assaults (Helen M. Eigenberg, Kathryn E. Scarborough, and Victor E. Kappeler)
12. To Go or Not to Go?: Preliminary Findings on Battered Women’s Decisions Regarding Court Cases (Joanne Belknap, Ruth E. Fleury, Heather C. Melton, Cris M. Sullivan, and Amy Leisenring)
Chapter VI. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
13. A Community Checklist: Important Steps to End Violence against Women (Advisory Council on Violence against Women)
14. Write Out a Safety Plan