Spousal Abuse

The Problem

Although American society no longer gives men the right to control their wives, remnants of the nineteenth-century patriarchal view of society still exist. Despite women’s growing liberation in modern day, nuclear family ideals still keep some women subordinate to men in the household. Some men today, just as they did during the Victorian period, believe that this idea of superiority over their wives gives them the right to control her actions through violence. Although Victorian and modern domestic abuse survivors share similar reasons for becoming trapped in their violent situations, contemporary laws have greatly shifted toward protecting the victim.

Domestic violence has plagued marriages since before the nineteenth century. In a time when slave cruelty was a controversial issue, several Northern abolitionists who were strongly opposed to such brutality had no problem using violence against their own wives (Glenn 64). Forty percent of divorces granted during the Victorian period were the result of “marital cruelty,” showing that women and society were starting to become intolerant of such acts (Glenn 65). However, even in the present when women have gained equality and violence in households is strongly looked down upon, intimate abuse is still a growing problem. Domestic assault affects 6 million women in the United States each year (Raphael 25). Most of these abuse victims are between the ages of 16 and 24 (Summers and Hoffman 173). Since the Victorian period, domestic violence has shifted from a problem resulting from social standards to one based on personal values of human rights.

Factors Contributing to Domestic Violence

Nineteenth-century religious beliefs encouraged women’s subordination in the household and, therefore, contributed to domestic assault. These principles often led husbands to justify their “right” to use violence to control their wives. In addition, these ideals created social tolerance of domestic assault (Hammerton 43). The Victorian period was a time of great religious following. People during the nineteenth-century believed that the Bible supported women’s submission and often used biblical quotes to defend such claims (Glenn 65). This emphasis of religious based subordination suggested that, for a woman to be virtuous and serve God, she must follow the lead of her husband. In addition this gave men the impression that they had a God given right to control their wives, even if this meant through use of physical correction.

During the nineteenth century, domestic principles were based on a patriarchal system. The husband was seen as the superior being in the house (Glenn 66). The wife was viewed as being property of her husband, just as one of his slaves or children (Glenn 71). As owner of his wife, a man could do as he pleased with and to his spouse because she lacked the power to control her own actions. It was considered a husband’s duty to protect his wife, therefore, he was given the right to control and limit her behavior (Glenn 67) This authority also allowed for him to use violence, if necessary, in order to keep her in line (Glenn 71). These standards a man’s domination over his wife created social acceptance of moderate martial cruelty (Hammerton 43).

Nineteenth century laws also led to a woman’s oppression in regard to her husband. Most states enforced a common law, which stated a husband had the legal right to control his wife and all her possessions. This meant, upon marriage, a women lost control over her children, inheritance, wages, all her belongings, and, in effect, herself (Glenn 66-67). In addition, it was widely accepted around the world that “wife-beating” was included in a man’s legal right power over his wife and her property (“domestic violence”).

In modern day, however, American women are no longer limited by society’s patriarchal views. As a result, factors contributing to domestic violence are now based more on personal rather than social standards and situations. Substance abuse can often play a role in domestic violence. Alcohol and drugs can increase aggression in an already violent person (Snow 220). As this person becomes less inhibited, they may be more likely to use violence to express their emotions (Summers and Hoffman 177).

In addition, poverty and unemployment can contribute to modern day domestic violence. Women in lower-class societies suffer a greater amount of domestic violence than their middle and upper class counterparts (Raphael 143). In some cases, the violence becomes more severe once the man becomes unemployed (Raphael 141). Furthermore, abuse often escalates if a woman has received a better education or higher paying job than her husband (Raphael 145). This prevalence of violence during economic struggles may have resulted from an increase in stress on the abuser causing him to use violence to make up for his inability to control their wives through financial means (Raphael 144-145).

An individual’s personal and psychological background can also lead to involvement in intimate abuse. Domestic violence abusers often come from abusive homes in which their father would assault their mother (Summers and Hoffman 178). Abusers also tend to be emotionally insecure and have a fear of abandonment causing them to be jealous and possessive (Summers and Hoffman 178). These feelings intensify to their need to control their victims leading them to result to violence as a source of power. Women are also affected by a violent childhood. Many domestic abuse victims come families with a history of physical and/or sexual abuse (Raphael 18-20). This type of behavior can cause these young girls to have a blurred perception of what a “normal” romantic relationship or family entails (Summers and Hoffman 177).

Trapped in Abuse

Victorian women who debated whether or not to leave their abusive partners encounter some of the same setbacks that modern women face today. During the nineteenth-century, many domestic violence victims stayed in their abusive situations because they felt dependent on their spouse due to their lack of job skills (Hammerton 43). Since it was not very common for nineteenth century women work, many of these women felt that they needed their husband in order to support themselves. Therefore, women often stay with their husbands in spite his violent personality. Divorce, besides death, was the only method these women had to escape their abuse. However, obtaining a divorce base on marital cruelty was extremely difficult. The violence had to be life threatening before the courts would consider granting a divorce (Glenn 68-70).

Modern women have also struggle with circumstances that prevent them from leaving their violent situations. Many of these women become involved in these abusive relationships at very young ages. Some victims have either never worked, therefore, they fear they will not have the financial resources to support themselves after escaping (Raphael 41). Battered women also fear that leaving their partner will result in further abuse or possible death. Violence tends to escalate after the victim leaves her abuser (Raphael 61). In addition, 49 percent of homicides among women are the result of a violent domestic relationship (Raphael 62). Furthermore, abusive partners make their victims develop “learned helplessness,” in which the women begin to believe their abuser’s claims that they are worthless, helpless and cannot survive on their own (Snow 244).

Laws and Protection

Although Victorian women were still greatly oppressed, victims of domestic abuse began to gain the right to escape their spouse’s violent control. During the 1850’s, several states in America began to liberalize their divorce laws. As a result, women could now obtain a divorce based on marital cruelty (Glenn 67-68). However, the laws were restrictive in that the violence had to be severe and meet the courts standards of “legal cruelty.” Thus, not all instances of physical violence were considered abuse (Glenn 68-69). According to these laws, the abuse had to be habitual, life threatening and could not have been provoked by the “wife’s misbehavior” (Glenn 70). In addition, Maryland passed the first law that declared domestic assault a punishable crime in 1882 (“historical perspective”).

In modern society, on the other hand, women are given much more legal protection against domestic assault. In 1994, under the Victims of Crime Act, the Violence Against Women Act was passed. This law stated that a “gender-motivated crimes” is considered a “violation of women’s civil rights” and that the victim has a “legal right to sue the perpetrator” (Summers and Hoffman 181). The act also makes restraining orders valid across state lines, therefore, prohibiting interstate abuse or stalking of a victim (Summers and Hoffman 182). The Brady Bill has also been expanded in order to make it illegal for convicted domestic violence offenders to buy a handgun in order to further protect victims (Summers and Hoffman 182). In addition, half of all states, including Texas, are now enforcing mandatory arrest laws. These laws require the police to arrest someone while on a domestic violence call assuming there is “probable cause” of assault (Summers and Hoffman 182).

Prevention: Society's Role

Millions of women suffer from domestic violence each year. However, today awareness and protection from abuse have increased dramatically since the Victorian period. Yet it is not enough to let people know that the issue exists. Society needs to learn how to stop and prevent domestic violence from occurring. Family, friends, and neighbors cannot continue to disregard warning signals, which will only prolong the violence. Society and families need to join together and do their part to help these isolated women escape violent secret.

Bibliography

“Domestic Violence.” Encyclopedia Britanica Online. 26 Apr. 2002.