Domestic Violence: The Sociological Lens - Essay Example

Social psychologists have contended that man is inherently violent and will use aggression to accomplish a goal when it has a high chance of success. The social learning theory, feminist theory, and social structure theory have all been used to examine domestic violence. While each theory has its strong points as an explanation for domestic violence, none can claim universality or be generalized across all cultures. Accurate rates of domestic violence are difficult to obtain due to the necessity of self-reporting and the social stigma that has been attached to it.

In addition, domestic violence can be defined as psychological abuse, subjugation, or the denial of basic needs and may often be discounted by social norms. Eighty-nine percent of the victims of domestic violence are female and "for women aged 19-44, domestic violence is the leading cause of morbidity, greater than cancer, war, and motor vehicle accidents" (Crime Reduction Unit, 2005, p.2). In addition, the economic costs associated with domestic violence reaches "combined tangible and intangible costs of 23 billion in the UK annually" (Crime Reduction Unit, 2005, p.2). .

The theory, developed by Albert Bandura argues that, "Children who observe their parents fighting or solving problems through the use of force are likely to grow up seeing those behaviors as acceptable ways of dealing with frustration" (cited in Haley & Stein, 2005, p.25). Behaviour can be largely viewed as learned, as it is required to fall within acceptable social norms. This is how children gain intergenerational transmission of knowledge. When a child observes a role model or parent exhibit a behaviour it gives the action social legitimacy without any further critical thought.

While the social learning theory has been extensively used to examine domestic violence, it has come under some criticism as being incomplete. According to Corvo (2006, p.124), "violence in adulthood may not emerge entirely from social learning processes, but from a complex of family of origin conditions, specifically disruptions in attachment. This multitheoretical model encourages a broader understanding of psychosocial processes in the etiology of domestic violence". Social learning may be only one component of domestic violence.

Feminist Theory of Domestic ViolenceFeminist theory contends that domestic violence is a product of the culture, and in a male dominated culture oppression and subjugation of women is acceptable if not mandated. Cultures where women are afforded the least rights do often have highest degrees of violence towards women. These cultures have offered the female few avenues of escape from an abusive relationship. The male is the sole provider and holds the power of survival, and social hierarchy has perpetuated that factor, which in itself can be considered gender abuse.