SECTION 13: Domestic Violence

Sociologists argue domestic violence is not just a "sick individual" problem, but a social one.

1. The Radical Feminist Explanation

• Dobash and Dobash: Their research in Scotland found that violence was often triggered by a challenge to the husband’s authority.

• View: Marriage legitimizes violence by giving men power and making women dependent.

• Evaluation: This fails to explain female-on-male violence or violence in same-sex relationships.

2. The Materialist Explanation (Wilkinson & Pickett)

• View: Domestic violence is a result of stress caused by social inequality.

• Logic: Low income, poor housing, and job insecurity create high stress levels. This makes people more likely to lose their temper.

• Evaluation: Unlike the Feminist view, this explains why lower-class families have higher recorded rates of violence.