Challenging Attitudes Toward the Abused Woman - Essay Example

Challenging Attitudes Toward the Abused Woman: Contributions of Lenore Walker 3/14 Introduction The cycle of abuse and the adverse affects on battered women is one that has been misinterpreted and sometimes not approached by psychologists and others who have looked into this field. One of the psychologists who began to change the approach toward women and abuse is Lenore Walker. The several approaches offered by Walker have revolutionized the understanding of women and abuse for psychologists as well as related to an overall understanding of the complications behind battery. The contributions made by Walker continue to be of central relevance for psychologists and shelters to assist women who are in the cycle of abuse. More importantly, her several theories and understandings of battery have altered the way that attorneys and criminal prosecutors look at battery and the abuse of women, which has led to new laws and regulations to assist women in need. This has been combined with a challenge to society to begin to change the way that women in the home and in contemporary culture are looked at. Biography of Lenore Walker Walker has gained the title of being the mother of battered women because of her significant contributions and developments in the field of psychology, specifically which intertwine with the concepts of abuse. Walker began her research in psychology toward women in the 1970s, at which time she made some of the most significant contributions to the effects battery has on women. Walker began to study the field of psychology soon after graduating high school. She earned her Bachelor’s in 1962 from CUNY’s Hunter College, followed by a Master’s in 1967. In 1972, she earned a doctorate in psychology from Rutgers, New Jersey. She has held a practice for over 30 years and is licensed in Colorado, New Jersey and Florida. Her prestige in the field of battered women has earned her the title of Diplomat in Clinical and Family Psychology. To this date, Walker focuses on teaching psychology at Nova Southeastern University, specifically with a focus on forensic psychology. She also coordinates with several court jurisdictions and areas in Florida, specifically to help treat women in battered situations. Walker is a part of a consulting group that works to change regulations toward women in the courtroom. She is also the director of the Domestic Violence Institute, which is designed to change the understanding of abuse between women and children on an international level. The main theories that Walker developed began with her studies for her doctorate and continued with her first field studies after graduation and as a growing psychologist. Walker was one of the first experts that was able to define the several reasons and influences behind battered women and why it was difficult to get out of a situation in which abuse is involved. This is based off the theory of battered woman syndrome, which includes a combination of post traumatic stress disorder and trauma responses that women continue to battle with. The understanding of the syndrome in which women are facing has allowed Walker to work with a consulting and attorney group which fights to protect women who are in an abusive situation including theories that have impacted the understanding of mental illness in terms of sexual abuse, discrimination and harassment as well as violence (Walker and Associates, 2010). Basic Theories of Walker There are several reviews and theories that Walker has developed to change and revolutionize the understanding of battered women and the several complications related to this. Most of the works and theories of Walker are seen in the 13 books that she has contributed to this field of study, which works in conjunction with the consulting group, Domestic Violence Institute and teaching initiatives. The theories and writings of Walker show her most significant theories and revelations that have allowed many to approach domestic violence of women and children in a different light. One of the contributions that Walker revolutionized was through her definition of the battered woman. Before the 1970s, this particular topic was one often ignored by psychologists and those in this field of study. Walker changed this by beginning to investigate what it meant to be a battered woman, not only from the perspective that society held about this identity, but also which related to the myths and realities of what it meant to be abused in the household. Walker relied not only on the stories and observations from society, but also worked closely with psychology to create several new theories that helped to understand the battered woman. The earlier theories that were proposed in this instance included the psychological theory of learned helplessness and the cycle of violence. The theory of learned helplessness is one that defined women and children as victims, in which they would be caught in a situation where they felt powerless to leave. The cycle of violence explained how abuse led into three stages in the home, each which held psychological implications between the abuser and abused. Walker then related this to several types of abuse to show how sexual, physical and mental abuse intertwined with the environment and psychological concepts (Walker, 1979). These earlier theories are known as some of the most important to Walker’s works. Specifically, Walker proposed to begin changing the legal and mental help available because of the theory of learned helplessness and the cycle of violence. The proposal that Walker makes as a solution is one that questions the makeup of the family and the way in which family units function. Specifically, Walker states “The nature of the family, rather than its elimination, needs to be further explored….These systems can only be successful if the historical sociological stereotypes that are designed to allow wife abuse are overcome. The anti-woman bias in society, and especially the degradation and exploitation of women, must change” (Walker, 1979). Providing solutions to the theories that Walker writes of is one of the more important contributions to society. Through each of the theories and works of Walker, there is a deeper challenge to alter social thinking, stereotypes and the battery that occurs among women. This provides a stronger basis to the theories, while pressuring society to begin changing the familial structure and the attitudes toward wife battery. Psychological Implications of Walker’s Theories The two basic theories that Walker has developed in relation to the battered woman is directly related to psychological development and understanding of how an abused woman thinks. Walker has created several challenges to psychologists to understand how the battered woman will respond in any given situation. More importantly, Walker has relayed information on how women may respond when in an abusive situation. The psychological concept that Walker uses is based on post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This states that a woman who is experiencing battery will also link to PTSD, which also relates to the concept of Battered Woman Syndrome. This includes anxiety, fear, panic attacks, depression and clinical symptoms that occur in reaction to the violence of the home. Walker relates this to the cycle of violence, specifically with relaying the intensity of PTSD during each of the three phases of violence that a woman goes through (Walker, 1985). While Walker has created the several newer concepts related to psychology, she has also based several of the ideas from older and more traditional methods of psychology. Taking this approach has given Walker a stronger groundwork in analyzing the affects of violence and battery amongst women. More importantly, this has given psychologists a stronger foundation when working with abused women and trying to find a different method of treatment. This has introduced the feminist gender analysis, which implies the several levels of violence that are a part of battery. This also shows implications that relate to the abuser who is creating violence in the home and what the psychology behind this situation relates to. The challenges that Walker presents at this level shows a link between traditional psychology and a newer understanding that presents the process that women go through psychologically when they are sexually assaulted, exploited and battered (Walker, 1989). More recent developments of Walker’s theories have expanded on the psychological implications of PTSD and traumatic disorder to further understand the way that women react in situations of battery. Specifically, Walker has defined women, men and children that are in a situation of violence as an IPV, or intimate partner victims. She then defines six major criteria that play into the Battered Woman Syndrome. This is used for psychological evaluation and is often used in court systems to define whether a woman was in self – defense if a situation such as violence or murder occurs. Walker states that the six criteria include, “1. Intrusive collection of traumatic events. 2. Hyperarousal and high levels of anxiety. 3. Avoidance behavior and emotional numbing usually expressed as depression, dissociation, minimization, repression and denial. 4. Disrupted interpersonal relationships from batterer’s power and control measures. 5. Body image distortion and / or simotic or physical complaints. 6. Sexual intimacy issues” (Walker 2009). The evaluation that Walker has made is one that is used to show psychologists how to analyze whether a woman has been battered and what the extremity is of the situation. More importantly, Walker has used these characteristics to define ways in which the legal system can respond, while evaluating psychological symptoms that imply the level of violence a woman is facing. The psychological definitions and contributions that Walker has made are one of the essential factors in redefining the complication of women that have been battered and abused. Legal Challenges of Walker’s Theories The solutions that Walker provided not only developed from the two basic theories provided about women and domestic violence as well as psychological methods that can help battered women. Walker moved further than this to understand the different components that caused women in battered situations to react. These theories are as important in the contributions of Walker and have developed a change in the legal and societal understanding of women and how they respond in society. For instance, Walker has created several theories that relate to the theory of helplessness to explain why women decide to defend themselves, as well as why battered women try to kill. The psychological understanding of this relates to this theory specifically because of the idea of victimization. Walker states that a woman who defends or kills her husband is trying to move outside of the helpless state in which she is in, specifically by responding with fear and anger. Walker furthers this by approaching the idea of trauma and post traumatic stress disorder, both which cause women who are suffering from the battered women syndrome to react in specific ways. This particular concept is one that has contributed to helping women that are in a state of fear and which are suffering from trauma and disorder (Walker, 1990). Similar to the other theories of Walker, this particular theory is one that is not only to assist women who have been in abusive situations from a psychological perspective. Walker has also moved this particular defense into the court room to assist women who have defended themselves against their husbands or that have killed their husbands. Walker points out that most women who kill their husbands in self – defense will not do so during a violent act, but rather while the husband is sleeping or eating. While most would consider this concept to lead one to be guilty of murder, Walker challenges the court systems and the perspectives provided by this concept. “Often called the battered woman self – defense, the defense has been introduced by attorneys on behalf of their clients to demonstrate to the judge and jury that living in domestic violence has such a major impact on a woman’s state of mind that it could make an act of homicide justifiable, even when the first look at the facts does not appear to be traditional confrontational self – defense” (Walker, 1992). This concept was approached to challenges juries and those on trial for self – defense which had been in a situation of battery and didn’t feel as though they could get out. The battered woman self – defense used in courts links to the psychological concepts that Walker has developed, specifically to protect women and children that have come out of an abusive situation through self – defense. Social Implications of Walker’s Theories Not only have Walker’s contributions developed into a challenge for court systems, but also have questioned the structure within society and the helplessness created by women who are a part of society. Walker specifically links this to the nuclear family and the ideas of helplessness that are created from a male dominated society. The structure that Walker refers to is one that is isolated, specifically with a husband and wife that are separate from the rest of their family. In this situation, the male is given dominate power over the woman because of the societal structure and the responsibilities which the man is required to take. Walker questions the identity of men in society and the different characteristics that they hold, specifically because of pressures that are apparent in society over the man’s role in the home. Walker questions the physiological differences that are apparent in men who batter women as well as expressions that apply to men in this situation. Walker then challenges the gender roles in society that lead to the idea of helplessness and the cycle of violence among women as well as the control and power that arises from gender socialization. Walker states that the more women and men are socialized into different categories, the more likely that abuse and the abuser will be a domineering part of society (Walker, 1995). The challenge that Walker makes to society is one that has developed in several of her theories and has led to an international understanding of gender roles and how this leads to the cycle of violence. The initiation of the Domestic Violence Institute has contributed to an international presence that relates to violence against women and the problems that are occurring at an international level. The challenge that Walker has begun to present in more recent theories not only relates to the gender socialization in American society, but also one which has implications in various regions of the world. Specifically, Walker states that this problem is one that relies on gender socialization made from political structure, religion, attitudes towards violence and state violence, such as civil wars. The more that violence in society is interpreted as acceptable and as one that is a part of the household, the more that it leads into complications and problems from society and into the home. Walker’s challenge to each society is to reexamine the attitudes that are reflected from politics, religion and various cultural concepts. Doing this is the only way in which Walker believes there can be change and resolution within the home as well as within a culture (Walker, 1999). Current Challenges Through Walker’s Theories In each of the analysis that Walker presents at a legal, societal and psychological level, is also the challenge to find solutions within society. Walker began this with presenting intervention programs for the family. For instance, many of the earlier theories implied that the neutral family caused abuse and violence. Intervention could prevent abuse, simply by allowing another individual or community member to move into the situation. Walker has also developed a different understanding and attitude related to the psychology behind communities with challenges for communities to change their relationship to violence in the home and toward women. These different concepts have all challenged the communities and have created a different understanding from psychologists and others that are a part of the theories. The more current works of Walker have led to intervention programs with legal structures and psychologists. The most recent development is known as STEP, which means Survivor Therapy Empowerment Program. This is a defined therapy treatment program which shows women how to move out of the cycle of violence and how to heal mentally from this situation. The main focus of this is one that is hinted at in the earlier works of Walker, which states that a feminist approach needs to be taken which empowers women and creates and defines a different balance within society between men and women. Walker combines concepts such as brain syndromes, psychological imbalances, poverty, medical issues and substance abuse with the current treatments, all which provide a holistic and complete treatment for women who are suffering from abuse (Walker, 2009). The main challenge that has occurred with Walker’s works is from psychologist Elizabeth Schneider. Specifically, Schneider has stated that feminist theory, as well as the battered woman experience fails to show the complete experience that women have in society. This is one that Schneider says has to move past the basic theories of feminist theory, violence amongst women and women as the battered victim. Instead, Schneider relates that there are other aspects of the woman’s life which relates to family, society and ideal behaviors that are expected from the woman. In order to fully heal and integrate changes in mental capacity among battered women, there needs to be a change in these attitudes. While this is the main challenge of Walker’s work, it can also be seen that Walker has presented a more contemporary and holistic approach with recent works as well as with the structure of psychological therapy that is involved in this process (Walker, 1986). Conclusion The several components of Walker’s theories have created a new challenge to those in society. The foundational level of Walker’s works has created an understanding of the psychology of battered women. This was one that was not presented in society until the 1970s and was often considered secondary to the evaluation of women that have been battered. For psychologists, this has changed the treatment as well as the analysis of women that have been in an abusive situation, specifically by creating a different relationship and understanding toward the cycle of violence, helplessness and victimization. The second challenge and contribution given by Walker is with the legal structure and societal implications of violence. Unlike other psychologists and theorists, Walker has moved into the realm of legalities and has changed the relationship between judgments when women in an abusive situation move toward self defense. The Battered Women Syndrome is one that is now commonly used to explain the complications that are a part of abuse in the home and self – defense. Even more importantly, Walker has begun to challenge the roots of society, including attitudes toward violence and the patriarchal society that creates an enhancement of violence in the home, instead of integrating a feminist approach for women in society. The challenges of Walker are one that has revolutionized and changed the approach to women in the home and the complications that are related to the cycle of abuse. References 1. Walker and Associates. (2010). Welcome to DrLenoreWalker.com. Retrieved from: http://www.drlenorewalker.com/. 2. Walker, L. E. (1979). Battered Woman. New York: Harper & Row. 3. Walker, L. E. (1985). Psychological Impact of the criminalization of domestic violence on victims. Victimology , 281-300. 4. Walker, L. E. (1986). A response to Elizabeth m. Schneiders Describing and Changing: Womens Self-Defense Work and the Problem of Expert Testimony on Battering. Womens Rights Law Reporter , 223-225. 5. Walker, L. E. (1989). Psychology and violence against women. The American Psychologist , 695-698. 6. Walker, L. E. (1990). Terrifying Love: Why Battered Women Kill and How Society Responds . Harper Collins. 7. Walker, L. E. (1992). Battered women syndrome and self-defense. Notre Dame Journal of Law , Ethics & Public Policy , 321-334. 8. Walker, L. E. (1993). Psychology and Law. Pepperdine Law Review , 1170-1190. 9. Walker, L. E. (1995). Current perspectives on men who batter women-implications for intervention and treatment to stop violence against women. Journal of Family Psychology , 264-268. 10. Walker, L. E. (1999). Psychology and domestic violence around the world. The American Psychologist , 21-29. 11. Walker, L.E. (2009). The Battered Woman Syndrome. New York: Routledge. Read More