|
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.
|
Violence Against Women, Vol. 12, No. 12,
1169-1190 (2006)
DOI: 10.1177/1077801206293546
"Anything With Two Heads Is a Monster"
Religious Leaders' Perspectives on Marital Equality and Domestic Violence
Heidi M. Levitt
Kimberly Ware
University of Memphis, TN
Religious leaders from Jewish, Christian, and Islamic faiths were interviewed about their understanding of the intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV) and religion. The present article explores the leaders' understanding of how relationship dynamics relate to IPV, focusing particularly on concepts of equality and submission. On the whole, the leaders were concerned that religious prescriptions of disproportionate power, such as the teachings of male leadership and female submission, could be interpreted to support IPV practices. Tensions between leaders' desire to salvage marriages and to protect victims are explored.
Key Words: egalitarianism • intimatepartnerviolence • religion
References
- Adelman, M. (2000). Divorce-related domestic violence in Israel. Violence Against Women, 6, 1223–1254.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Alsdurf, J. M., & Alsdurf, P. (1988). A pastoral response. In A. L. Horton & J. A. Williamson (Eds.), Abuse and religion(pp. 165–171). New York: Lexington Books.
- Ayyub, R. (2000). Domestic violence in the South Asian Muslim immigrant population in the United States. Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, 9, 237–248.
- Beaman-Hall, L., & Nason-Clark, N. (1997). Partners or protagonists? The transition house movement and conservative churches. Affilia, 12, 176–186.[Free Full Text]
- Brinkerhoff, M. B., Gradnin, E., & Lupri, E. (1992). Religious involvement and spousal violence: The Canadian case. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 31, 15–31.[CrossRef]
- Brown, J. C., & Parker, R. (1989). For God so loved the world? In J. C. Brown & C. R. Bohn (Eds.), Christianity, patriarchy and abuse (pp. 1–30). New York: Pilgrim.
- Cunradi, C. B., Caetano, R., & Schafer, J. (2002). Religious affiliation, denominational homogamy, and intimate partner violence among U.S. couples. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 41, 139–151.[CrossRef][ISI]
- Dixon, C. K. (1995). Violence in families: The development of a program to enable clergy to provide support. Journal of Family Studies, 1, 14–23.
- Dobash, R. E., & Dobash, R. P. (1979). Violence against wives: A case against the patriarchy. New York: Free Press.
- Drauker, C. B. (1996). Family of origin variables and adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse: A review of the research. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 5, 35–63.
- Elliott, R., Fischer, C. T., & Rennie, D. L. (1999). Evolving guidelines for publication of qualitative research studies in psychology and related fields. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 38, 215–229.
- Ellison, C. G., & Anderson, K. L. (2001). Religious involvement and domestic violence among U.S. couples. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 40, 269–286.[CrossRef]
- Ellison, C. G., Bartkowsi, J. P., & Anderson, K. L. (1999). Are there religious variations in intimate partner violence? Journal of Family Issues, 20, 87–113.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Folingstad, D. R., Rutledge, L. L., McNeill-Hawkins, K., & Polek, D. S. (1992). Factors related to physical violence in dating relationships. In E. C. Viano (Ed.), Intimate violence: Interdisciplinary perspectives (pp. 121–135). New York: Hemisphere.
- Fortune, M. (1987). Keeping the faith: Guidance for Christian women facing abuse. San Francisco: Harper Collins.
- Fortune, M. (1991). A commentary on religious issues in family violence. In Violence in the family: A workshop curriculum for clergy and other helpers (pp. 137–151). Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim.
- Frisch, M. B., & Mackenzie, C. J. (1991). A comparison of formerly and chronically battered women on cognitive and situational dimensions. Psychotherapy, 28, 339–344.[ISI]
- Giesbrecht, N., & Sevcik, I. (2000). The process of recovery and rebuilding among abused women in the conservative evangelical subculture. Journal of Family Violence, 15, 229–248.
- Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. New York: Aldine de Gruyter.
- Glick, P., & Fiske, S. T., (2001). An ambivalent alliance: Hostile and benevolent sexism as complementary justifications for gender inequality. American Psychologist, 56, 109–118.[CrossRef][Medline]
[Order article via Infotrieve]
- Haj-Yahia, M. M. (1998). Beliefs about wife beating among Palestinian women: The influence of their patriarchal ideology. Violence Against Women, 4, 533–558.[Abstract]
- Hassouneh-Phillips, D. S. (2001). "Marriage is half of faith and the rest is fear Allah": Marriage and spousal abuse among American Muslims. Violence Against Women, 7, 927–946.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Hillier, L., & Foddy, M. (1993). The role of observer attitudes in judgments of blame in cases of wife assault. Sex Roles, 29, 629–644.[CrossRef]
- Horne, S. G., & Levitt H. M. (2004). Shelter from the raging wind: Religious needs of victims of intimate partner violence and faith leaders' responses. Journal of Religion and Abuse, 5, 83–98.[CrossRef]
- Johnson, A. (1997). The gender knot: Unraveling our patriarchal legacy. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
- Knickmeyer, N., Levitt, H. M., Horne, S. G., & Bayer, G. (2004). Responding to mixed messages and double binds: Religious oriented coping strategies of Christian battered women. Journal of Religion and Abuse, 5, 55–82.[CrossRef]
- McClure, J., & Ramsay, N. (Eds.). (1998). Telling the truth: Preaching about sexual and domestic violence. Cleveland, OH: United Church Press.
- Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative evaluation and research methods (2nd ed.). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
- Pearson, J. (2001). Balancing safety and self-sufficiency. Violence Against Women, 7, 176–193.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
- Rennie, D. L. (2000). Grounded theory methodology as methodological hermeneutics: Reconciling realism and relativism. Theory and Psychology, 10, 481–502.
- Rennison, C. M., & Welchans, S. (2000). Bureau of Justice special report (NJC 178247). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.
- Simon, T. R., Anderson, M., Thompson, M. P., Crosby, A. E., Shelley, G., & Sacks, J. J. (2001). Attitudinal acceptance of intimate partner violence among U.S. adults. Violence and Victims, 16, 115–122.[Medline]
[Order article via Infotrieve]
- Sztark, E., & Flitcraft, A. (1996). Women at risk: Domestic violence and women's health. London: Sage.
- Steil, J. (1997). Marital equality: Its relationship to the well-being of husbands and wives. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
- Tjaden, P., & Thoennes, N. (2000). Extent, nature and consequences of intimate partner violence: Findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey. Washington DC: National Institute of Justice.
- Walker, L. E. (1988). Spouse abuse: A basic profile. In A. L. Horton & J. A. Williamson (Eds.), Abuse and religion (pp. 13–20). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.
- Ware, K. N., Levitt, H. M., & Bayer G. (2003). May God help you: Faith leaders' perspectives of intimate partner violence within their communities. Journal of Religion and Abuse, 5, 29–54.
- Wood, A. D., & McHugh, M. C. (1994). Woman battering: The response of clergy. Pastoral Psychology, 42, 185–196.[CrossRef]
- Yllo, K. (1993). Through a feminist lens: Gender, power, and violence. In R. J. Gelles & D. R. Loseke (Eds.), Current controversies on family violence (pp. 47–62). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati What's this?
|
