Current Controversies on Family Violence

by Donileen R. Loseke

• ISBN13: 9780761921066
• ISBN10: 0761921060
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-09-13
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION: "These essays are exemplary in conceptualization, organization, and delivery. The messages are crystal clear, the readability superb. This book stands as a model of editorial excellence. The design of the volume is unique and responds well to a clear need in the subdiscipline of family violence, which remains fraught with diversity and dissention. . . . This piece of work is honest and effectively illuminates the growing pains of a very young and ideologically loaded subdiscipline that is anchored by an interdisciplinary and heterogeneous collection of smart people. Current Controversies on Family Violence is a powerful addition to the family violence literature. I recommend it as required reading for family violence courses. Gelles and Loseke are to be commended for their excellent idea, their tenacity, their directness and candor as expressed in the framing materials, their sensitive insights, and their superb editorial skills." --Ann Goetting, Western Kentucky University "Gelles and Loseke accomplish their goal of encouraging debate among family violence researchers....does the best job I have seen at presenting the spectrum of approaches to the problem in a fair objective manner....an outstanding contribution to family violence research." --JOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILYThe study of family violence is surrounded by multiple controversies. Experts in this field do not agree about what should be studied and condemned (Is spanking violence? Is women's violence toward men a major social problem? If it is, how should it be measured? What, specifically, should be condemned as date rape?) Experts also disagree about the causes ofviolence (Individual pathology? The structure of gender or families?), as well as about what should be done to eliminate it (Do child sexual abuse education programs or family preservation programs work?). Now in its Second

Table of Contents

Introduction: Understanding Controversies on Family Violence	ix
SECTION I: CONTROVERSIES IN CONCEPTUALIZATION	1	(48)
Family Violence: What Type of a Problem Is It?
Through a Psychological Lens: Personality Disorder and Spouse Assault	5	(14)
Donald G. Dutton
Mark Bodnarchuk
Through a Feminist Lens: Gender, Diversity, and Violence: Extending the Feminist Framework	19	(16)
Kersti A. Yllo
Through a Sociological Lens: The Complexities of Family Violence	35	(14)
Donileen R. Loseke
SECTION II: CONTROVERSIES IN DEFINITION AND MEASUREMENT	49	(110)
Women's Violence Toward Men: A Serious Social Problem?
Women's Violence Toward Men: Is a Serious Social Problem	55	(24)
Murray A. Straus
Men's Violence Toward Women Is the Serious Social Problem	79	(18)
Donileen R. Loseke
Demie Kurz
Date and Acquaintance Rape: Exaggerated Problems?
More Data Have Accumulated Supporting Date and Acquaintance Rape as Significant Problems for Women	97	(20)
Sarah L. Cook
Mary P. Koss
Advocacy Research Overstates the Incidence of Date and Acquaintance Rape	117	(14)
Neil Gilbert
Spanking: Necessary and Effective?
Proper Socialization Requires Powerful Love and Equally Powerful Discipline	131	(6)
John Rosemond
Children Should Never, Ever, Be Spanked No Matter What the Circumstances	137	(22)
Murray A. Straus
SECTION III: CONTROVERSIES IN CAUSE	159	(62)
Alcohol and Addictive Drugs: The Causes of Violence?
Alcohol and Other Drugs Are Key Causal Agents of Violence	163	(12)
Jerry P. Flanzer
Association Is Not Causation: Alcohol and Other Drugs Do Not Cause Violence	175	(16)
Richard J. Gelles
Mary M. Cavanaugh
Abused Elderly and Their Abusive Offspring: Who Is Dependent?
Elder Abuse Is Caused by the Perception of Stress Associated With Providing Care	191	(16)
Suzanne K. Steinmetz
Elder Abuse Is Caused by the Deviance and Dependence of Abusive Caregivers	207	(14)
Karl Pillemer
SECTION IV: CONTROVERSIES IN SOCIAL INTERVENTION	221	(120)
``The Battered Woman Syndrome'': Time to More On?
Explaining Without Pathologizing: Testimony on Battering and Its Effects	225	(16)
Sue Osthoff
Holly Maguigan
Battered Woman Syndrome: Tool of Justice or False Hope in Self-Defense Cases?	241	(16)
Donald A. Downs
James Fisher
Child Sexual Abuse Education: Good Prevention?
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Is Appropriate and Successful	257	(14)
Carol A. Plummer
Is There Empirical Evidence to Support the Effectiveness of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs?	271	(14)
N. Dickon Reppucci
Jeffrey J. Haugaard
Jill Antonishak
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting: Too Much or Too Little?
Overreporting and Underreporting Child Abuse and Neglect Are Twin Problems	285	(14)
Douglas J. Besharov
The Main Problem Is Underreporting Child Abuse and Neglect	299	(12)
David Finkelhor
Family Preservation: An Important Goal in Child Abuse Intervention?
Family Preservation Is the Safest Way to Protect Most Children	311	(18)
Richard Wexler
Protecting Children Is More Important Than Preserving Families	329	(12)
Richard J. Gelles
Conclusion: Social Problems, Social Policies, and Controversies on Family Violence	341	(8)
Author Index	349	(10)
Subject Index	359	(10)
About the Editors	369	(2)
About the Contributors	371