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Wife abuse in South Africa: An imbalance theory of family resources and power

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Susanne Choi

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Abstract

This article develops an imbalance theory to explain physical violence against women in intimate relationships in South Africa. The theory proposes four typologies: dependence, compensation, submission, and transgression, through which imbalances in resource contribution and power distribution between spouses are hypothesized to contribute to violence. The dependence hypothesis suggests that economic dependence of the wife will lead to more violence. The compensation hypothesis argues that the husband will use force to compensate for his inability to live up to the male-provider norm. The submission hypothesis suggests that violence will increase due to the submission of women in male-dominated families. Finally, the transgression hypothesis argues that men in female-dominated families will use force to punish their wives for supposedly transgressing the gender norm of male dominance. Empirical evidence provided some support for the dependence, submission, and transgression hypotheses.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Choi SYP, Ting KF

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence

Year: 2008

Volume: 23

Issue: 6

Pages: 834-852

ISSN (print): 0886-2605

ISSN (electronic): 1552-6518

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886260507313951

DOI: 10.1177/0886260507313951

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