A Post-Structuralist Review of the Theoretical Literature Surrounding Wife Abuse

Abstract

Since men's violence toward their partners or wives came to public attention as a major social problem in the 1970s, there has been great variation in the way the social science community has responded, both in terms of defining the issues and in formulating appropriate policy and intervention strategies. This has become one of the most controversial topics in the social sciences, as various schools of thought have sought to implement their perspective. This post-structuralist overview of the theoretical literature seeks to present an account of the different discourses at work within the field of domestic assault and men's violence in the home, to elaborate on the implications of each discourse, and to illuminate the dynamics of conflict and tension that exist within this most controversial area. The cultural constructions and resources being employed within the field are identified and located within the broader cultural heritage of society.