Gendered dynamics of abuse and violence in families: considering the abusive household gender regime

Morris, Anne

doi:10.1002/car.1098

Cited by 60 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The interviews also found constructions of maternal alienation, where abusive men created a division between women and their children by encouraging children to take sides against their mothers (Morris, 2009). In line with findings from O' Brien et al (2013) and Kiraly and Humphreys (2012), it seemed that some former children hold much lower expectations of fathers in relation to parenting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growing up in domestic violence: What does maternal protectiveness mean?

Buchanan

Wendt

Moulding

2014

Qualitative Social Work

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There is limited understanding at the current time about the nature of relationships between women and their children in contexts of domestic violence. This is particularly the case in relation to maternal protectiveness, which tends to be seen in simplistic terms of whether women stay in violence or leave to protect their children. This article reports on a qualitative research study that explores mother-child relationships in the context of domestic violence. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 women and two men who were raised in contexts of domestic violence. Thematic analysis revealed complexities between the former children's perceptions of their own needs and their mothers' vulnerabilities in the context of violence, as well as shifting understandings over time that involved development of deeper insights into the impact of violence on their mothers and themselves. The nuances of maternal protectiveness identified through this analysis can help social workers appreciate the multiple factors that impact on children's relationships with their mothers in contexts of violence. The findings therefore have practice implications for social work with women who mother in domestic violence as well as children and adults who grow up in these environments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Growing up in domestic violence: What does maternal protectiveness mean?

Buchanan

Wendt

Moulding

2014

Qualitative Social Work

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“…Although some perpetrators use physical violence frequently, others use little or none; instead, preferring to maintain dominance over their partner through more insidious methods such as psychological abuse and the control of time, movement and activities (Westmarland and Kelly, ). Perpetrators of coercive control engage in minimising, denying and blaming others for their abusive behaviours (Lehmann et al ., ), may claim to be the real victim in the relationship (Bancroft et al ., ; Morris, ) and can present themselves as charming and heroic (Morris, ; Stark, ). Rather than arising from conflict or stress, coercive control is used to suppress potential conflicts or challenges to perpetrators' authority (Stark, ).…”

Section: Using the Concept Of Coercive Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beyond the Physical Incident Model: How Children Living with Domestic Violence are Harmed By and Resist Regimes of Coercive Control

2015

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This article begins to build knowledge of how non-violent coercive controlling behaviours can be central to children"s experiences of domestic violence. It considers how children can be harmed by, and resist, coercive controlling tactics perpetrated by their father/father-figure against their mother. Already, we know much about how women/mothers experience non-physical forms of domestic violence, including psychological/emotional/verbal and financial abuse, isolation and monitoring of their activities. However, this knowledge has not yet reached most research on children and domestic violence, which tends to focus on children"s exposure to physical violence. In this qualitative study, 30 participants from the UK, 15 mothers and 15 of their children (most aged 10-14) who had separated from domestic violence perpetrators, participated in semi-structured interviews. All participants were living in the community. Using the Framework approach to thematically analyse the data, findings indicated that perpetrators"/fathers" coercive control often prevented children from spending time with their mothers and grandparents, visiting other children"s houses and engaging in extracurricular activities. These non-violent behaviours from perpetrators/fathers placed children in isolated, disempowering and constrained worlds which could hamper children"s resilience and development and contribute to emotional/behavioural problems. Implications for practice and the need to empower children in these circumstances are discussed. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGES: Children experiencing domestic violence may be affected by more than the physical violence perpetrated by one parent against the other.  Children may be harmed by non-physical abusive behaviours inherent to coercive control-based domestic violence, including continual monitoring, isolation and verbal/emotional/psychological and financial abuses.  Responsibility for the impacts on children of coercive control-based domestic violence should be placed with the perpetrator (usually fathers/ father-figures) and not with the victimised parent (usually mothers).

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“…Morris’ () conceptualisation of a web of coercive control entrapping the whole family more accurately reflects children's narratives: ‘a fusion of violence which permeates [women and children's] everyday lives’ (p. 417). Within that, it remains crucial to recognise children's unique, autonomous voice and experience.…”

Section: Domestic Abuse and Children's Agencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Young People's Perspectives on Participatory Ethics: Agency, Power and Impact in Domestic Abuse Research and Policy‐Making

Houghton

2015

Child Abuse Review

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Children's perspectives literature repositions children and young people as active participants in surviving domestic abuse, protecting their family, opposing the violence and recovering from abuse. However, key tenets of safeguarding in relation to domestic abuse, both in practice and childhood research ethics, struggle to fully recognise children's agency and the need to empower children and young people as well as women. Children's right to participation now extends to national policy‐making in many countries, yet has not been explored in relation to the interdependency of women and children's rights, safety and wellbeing where both have been subject to abuse. This paper challenges the current exclusion of young voices from the development of ethical praxis. It outlines a participatory ethical approach that promotes the inclusion and empowerment of young survivors in research and policy. Young expert advisors on Scottish domestic abuse policy (2009–11) co‐develop the approach (participatory action research) which is informed by a wider study (2004–11) about children's help‐seeking and solutions for practice. Mullender et al.'s accepted model of three Cs and Ds (consent, confidentiality, child protection: danger, distress, disclosure) are adapted to focus on children's agency. Three Es are added focusing on children's power and impact: enjoyment, empowerment and emancipation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Children and young people have a distinct, essential voice in risk assessment and management. They are competent and central decision‐makers, they can consent to participation. Participation can be a powerful therapeutic tool. Enjoyment, empowerment and emancipation are intrinsic to participation, alongside recognition of children's agency in safeguarding. Access to power, equal voice and impact on children's lives are preconditions of participation to young survivors – to be worth the inherent risk of speaking out.

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Gendered dynamics of abuse and violence in families: considering the abusive household gender regime

Cited by 60 publications

References 27 publications

Growing up in domestic violence: What does maternal protectiveness mean?

Growing up in domestic violence: What does maternal protectiveness mean?

Beyond the Physical Incident Model: How Children Living with Domestic Violence are Harmed By and Resist Regimes of Coercive Control

Young People's Perspectives on Participatory Ethics: Agency, Power and Impact in Domestic Abuse Research and Policy‐Making

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