Book Review of Domestic Violence Essays

Book Review of Domestic Violence Essays Book Review of Domestic Violence Essay Book Review of Domestic Violence Essay T. B. James has written a hard-hitting and incisive book focusing on current myths about domestic violence in the United States that turns the conventional approach on its ear (Domestic Violence: The 12 Things You Arent Supposed to Know, 2003). A practicing attorney in Minnesota and founder/director of Better Resolutions Mediation Service, Jamess short, quotable book focuses on empirical studies and an extensive review of the literature to make a powerful argument that women are as violent as men, while our legal system is biased against men and refuses to hold females accountable when they are violent dames, 2003). Based on this information, James first twelve chapters are small essays, each addressing one of the dozen things cited in his title. In the 13th and final chapter, he marshals his chilling conclusions from the research literature: men are victimized more often than women and violence against them by females is Just as severe as violence against women. Women are the primary abusers of children and most of their young victims are male. Criminal statistics show, in spite of a rising chorus of voices denouncing violence against women, that violence against males over at least the past twenty ears has been rising, while conversely, violence against women has been decreasing. The same statistics reveal that violence perpetrated by females, in general, has been on the rise dames, 2003). In his most startling chapters, James makes a forceful but controversial assertion that domestic violence against men, ratner tnan raclal crlmes, are tne most under-reported crimes, cltlng Tactors tnat include masculine cultural conditioning about not admitting they are victims and mens real fears about seeking Justice in a legal system that favors women. James demonstrates systemic bias by some lawyers, police and Judges toward men based n the assumption that they are more violent. Assumptions that have been uncritically accepted by many in the legal system include the belief that women are rarely violent, except in self-defense situations dames, 2003). Thomas also cites chilling statistics showing males, not females, as victims of bias in the legal system, noting that men are charged and convicted for all crimes proportionately far more often than females, and when convicted for essentially the same crimes, even capital crimes, face far more serious sanctions (including longer sentences, a vastly higher ikelihood of execution and far more restrictive conditions under their sentences) dames, 2003). A glaring example of this bias is that women, as the primary abusers of children, face minimal consequences for their actions. Sexual abuse of children, while representing less than ten percent (10%) of abuse crimes against them, are primarily committed by men and yet are prosecuted far more often and more forcefully than physical abuse by adult females, which constitute the vast majority of such crimes. When child custody is an issue, males are at an even greater isadvantage-in spite of the clear statistics about the preponderance of child abusers being female. Even when there is significant evidence that a mother is not a fit parent, fathers are correct in their assessment that they are unlikely to win sole custody, primary custody, or be able to significantly limit their childrens contact with abusive mothers dames, 2003). James also skewers the current research base for domestic violence, noting that much of the purported research into domestic violence is characterized by critical flaws; on an intellectual level, these problems included eep-seated prejudices against males based on many researchers feminist-based assumptions about the inherently violent nature of males, the unacceptability of all male violence (even if it is for self-defense) against females, and the presumptively defensive or insignificant nature of violence by women toward their male victims. Data about female perpetrators of child abuse are apparently overlooked dames, 2003). In the domestic violence research world, feminist assumptions-many contradicting better designed studies or more reliable crime data- have tremendous nfluence on how questions are framed, what questions are asked, who is surveyed, and how slanted data are then interpreted to support these pre-existing assumptions. Such studies are based on a circular logic that calls women victims and men batterers dames, 2003). As an example, James cites studies that ask women to report if they have ever been abused according to an extremely generous definition of abuse, then assumes that all instances of abuse reported has been, naturally, perpetrated by their male domestic partners. This data is then reported as reliable, and more importantly, alid. The data is then interpreted to make questionable or untenable conclusions that support the original, simplistic assumptions dames, 2003). James portrays a legal system apparently so intent on correcting past injustices against women that males are now consistently held to a much tougher standard. Not only are females given the benefit of the doubt, much of their violence is viewed as purely defensive or due to Tactors excuslng tnem Trom responslDlllty wnen tney are vlolent. Many people In our Justice system have bought into specious arguments supporting a gender-based ythology as well as uncritically accepting as truth a specific ideology that not only skews the realities of domestic violence but has profoundly negative consequences for males-victims and perpetrators-of all ages dames, 2003). Hard-core feminists who view all women as incapable of violence and all men automatically guilty because of their gender and domestic violence advocates who dont care about the facts will surely attack this book on emotional grounds, but they will have trouble logically refuting the authors impressive grasp of the research literature, including some of its glaring flaws. Advocates of a balanced and fair approach to domestic violence, individuals and organizations fighting for the civil rights of men and equal Justice under the law regardless of gender should welcome this powerful indictment of our societys response to domestic abuse and the systematic mistreatment of males under our current approach dames, 2003). summary As a straight, African-American, heterosexual female I can assure you that Mr. James is well off the mark with this book. Though it would be nice if the stats were skewed and men were truly less responsible for violence in the household, it is imple not the case. This book is irresponsible scholarship, and a prime example of the type of prejudice that exists against the Domestic Violence movement as a whole. It is no longer a feminist issue, but rather a family issue. Domestic Violence is a serious matter, that deserves serious scholarship, and this book does not meet that standard. On any given day the number of male perpetrators of Domestic Violence is ten times that of female. Furthermore, it is almost never the case that a male victim has suffered perpetual abuse or lived in a controlling patriarchal household for the uration of the relationship, as is the case with an overwhelming number of female victims. The issue is real, and despite efforts by radical pro-male groups it is impossible to suggest that the number of men affected by domestic violence is anywhere near that of female victims. As much as people may want to believe there is a conspiracy against males via the Domestic Violence issue, I submit that a battered woman, living in a patriarchal and controlling environment, has neither the time, interest, nor ability to perpetuate such a conspiracy. Be a man, and help stop the violence. Criminal behavior is criminal behavior. Most women, like most men, do not perpetrate violence. The men and women who do such things should be treated as criminals. Violent behavior should not be ignored, because of the gender of the perpetrator. Nor should government services be deliberately denied to men, as they are in the State of Washington, where it was determined that any government aid directed to victimized men would be gender specific and; therefore, terribly unfair. Reference James, T. B. (2003). Domestic Violence: The 12 Things You Arent Supposed to Know. Chula Vista, California: Aventine Press, 2003.