Domestic violence occurs for various reasons. Each case of domestic violence must be individually assessed to understand its root causes. There aren’t any cookie-cutter explanations as to why men batter. However, researchers have placed three primary categories in which battering theories fall into: psychological, sociological, and feminist perspectives. I want to stress that these are only theories, not facts. Correlation between abuse and these theories do not necessarily denote causation. In other words, just because the theories may connect to the abuse doesn’t mean they are the cause of the abuse. Nevertheless, the theories may help identify potential violent triggers to prevent an escalation, or it may clue you in to a potentially violent person, to avoid entering into a relationship with them.
These theories are taken from the Handbook of Domestic Violence Intervention Strategies Ed. by Albert R. Roberts.
Psychological Theories (Why men batter):
- They have a strong desire for power.
- They suffered from a head injury that resulted in a violent personality disorder.
- They suffer from an antisocial personality disorder.
- They suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- They have poor impulse control.
- They have poor self-esteem.
- They struggle with substance abuse.
They struggle with substance abuse.
- Family Systems Theory: Families construct and maintain violence in the household, and that behavior is transmitted from generation to generation.
- Social Learning Theory: People learn violent behavior from watching others in society.
- Violence Theory: Violence is a more acceptable method to resolve conflict in lower-class families than in middle-class families.
- Resource Theory: The force of threat in all social systems is inherent. Those with greater resources (e.g. income, property, social contacts, prestige) have greater force or decision-making power.
- Exchange Theory: Partners in a relationship provide one another with benefits. If the violent partner does not perceive serious consequences then it will use violence as the beneficial and effective tactic to get whatever he wants.
Feminist Theory:
Men batter to enforce the patriarchal structure of society. In other words, men batter because they feel superior to women and therefore, feel entitled to dominate and control them. Additionally, women are unlikely to leave the relationship because they do not have dominant physical and economic power to do so.
Hopefully, this information will give you some insight towards violent behavior, and perhaps ideas on how to approach therapeutic and counseling methods for the batterer. However, if you are the recipient of verbal, emotional, and physical abuse, the most important step you can take is to get help for yourself before trying to help the one you love.
Contact TheHotline.Org to speak to a trained professional that’ll help you figure out a safe way out before its too late.
Contact the National Center on Domestic Violence, Trauma & Mental Health @ nationalcenterdvtraumamh.org or by phone: 1-312-726-7020 extension 2011 to discuss therapeutic and treatment options.