Study finds women as violent as men
By: Jennifer Ginger
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: News
Junior Scott Morrow, a journalism major, said his girlfriend threw a can of soda at him after they had been dating for eight months. The two were having an argument and she became upset that he wouldn't follow her to work in his car because she was low on gasoline. Morrow said he never retaliated, but said as their relationship progressed she would throw things at him whenever he made her angry.
"There's no reason I should have stayed with her," Morrow said.
Morrow remained in the relationship for about two years.
Though men are often blamed for domestic or intimate partner violence, a recent study proposes that both men and women can be equally responsible for violent relationships.
The study, published by Harvard Health Publications, did not include situations involving knives, choking or burning.
"Women can be just as violent, or more, than men," said Gladys Smith, assistant director in Webster University's Counseling and Life Development Office. "I don't know if it's an escalation or if we're noticing it more."
Though women usually aren't as strong as men, they are likely to compensate for weakness with weapons and the element of surprise, said Marc Angelucci, president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Coalition of Free Men group that raises awareness of gender inequalities.
Focusing on women is sensationalistic, evokes sympathy, and confirms the theory that men are violent beings but men are also less likely to report domestic violence; therefore, the altercation does not appear in crime data, which is often cited as a source, Angelucci said.
"No amount of violence is okay but they minimize it when it's not women," Angelucci said. "Nobody should be downplayed or excluded."
In the 1980's the battered women's movement recognized woman-on-woman violence and acknowledged that men aren't always the primary source of violence, said Don Conway-Long, WU associate professor and Behavioral and Social Sciences chair.
"There's no reason I should have stayed with her," Morrow said.
Morrow remained in the relationship for about two years.
Though men are often blamed for domestic or intimate partner violence, a recent study proposes that both men and women can be equally responsible for violent relationships.
The study, published by Harvard Health Publications, did not include situations involving knives, choking or burning.
"Women can be just as violent, or more, than men," said Gladys Smith, assistant director in Webster University's Counseling and Life Development Office. "I don't know if it's an escalation or if we're noticing it more."
Though women usually aren't as strong as men, they are likely to compensate for weakness with weapons and the element of surprise, said Marc Angelucci, president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Coalition of Free Men group that raises awareness of gender inequalities.
Focusing on women is sensationalistic, evokes sympathy, and confirms the theory that men are violent beings but men are also less likely to report domestic violence; therefore, the altercation does not appear in crime data, which is often cited as a source, Angelucci said.
"No amount of violence is okay but they minimize it when it's not women," Angelucci said. "Nobody should be downplayed or excluded."
In the 1980's the battered women's movement recognized woman-on-woman violence and acknowledged that men aren't always the primary source of violence, said Don Conway-Long, WU associate professor and Behavioral and Social Sciences chair.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 9
Marc Angelucci
posted 12/10/07 @ 5:22 PM CST
I appreciate Jennifer Ginger covering the research showing women are as violent as men in relationships and for quoting my organization. However, Professor Don Conway-Long's sexist comments that unfairly stigmatize and downplay male victims need to be confronted. (Continued…)
Erin Lynn Hill
posted 1/24/08 @ 6:00 PM CST
While it is important to recognize that intimate partner violence (IPV) is not entirely male-perpetrated, it is crucial to understand that male-perpetrated IPV is more prevalent than female-perpetrated IPV. (Continued…)
Xtrnl
posted 1/27/08 @ 5:52 PM CST
Thank you, Stonewall! The studies you cited prove the article to be true. I know that some women have a hard time accepting that men are just as likely to be victims of DV as women, but let's face facts. (Continued…)
Dani & co.
posted 2/25/08 @ 4:34 PM CST
Scott's a stronger man for it. He needed to toughen up for his own good.
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