Citation

Avis JM. J. Marital Fam. Ther. 1992; 18(3): 225-232.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1752-0606.1992.tb00935.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper draws on a wide range of research from different fields to document the epidemic proportions of physical violence and sexual abuse in North American families. It delineates the gender dimensions of this problem, with men being the predominant perpetrators of sexual abuse of both boys and girls, and the major physical abusers in couple relationships. Family therapy's lack of response to the problem, and its conceptual inadequacies in doing so, are challenged. A feminist perspective for thinking about abuse is presented and guidelines for working with it are suggested. A course on treating violence and abuse in families is recommended as a required part of family therapy training.

Language: en