Opposing Viewpoints Series - Domestic Violence (hardcover edition) [Hardcover]

Tamara L. Roleff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 7, 1999 | Series: Opposing Viewpoints Series

Authors debate the seriousness and causes of domestic violence and how society should respond to domestic violence in the following chapters: Is Domestic Violence a Serious Problem? What Factors Contribute to Domestic Violence? Are Legal Remedies Against Domestic Violence Just and Effective? How Can Society Help Victims of Domestic Violence? (20020801)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up-A solid series entry that examines different viewpoints on aspects of family violence. Each of the book's four chapters begins with a short introduction and a few questions. Excerpts from magazine and newspaper articles offering several points of view follow. Entries range in length from 4 to 11 pages with some of the arguments supported by statistics. Each chapter is followed by a bibliography of periodical articles. A concluding "For Further Discussion" section arranged by chapter asks students to do some critical thinking about the opinions expressed. The book's strengths include an up-to-date bibliography of books and a strong list of organizations with addresses, phone numbers, and, in some cases, Web sites. Interspersed throughout are black-and-white cartoons that seem somewhat out of place given the seriousness of the subject. Still, this is a title that most libraries will want to have.
Marilyn Fairbanks, Azure IRC, Brockton High School, MA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 11-12. Geared to advanced students, this title in the Opposing Viewpoints series examines factors contributing to domestic abuse, and the impact of and possible solutions for the problem. Articles collected from a variety of sources range from scholarly to provocative and convey the complexity of the issue, addressing such aspects as the effectiveness of legal remedies, and abuse in straight and gay relationships, against spouses, and in sports culture. As usual, the material is well organized, and there are chapter introductions, periodical bibliographies, and questions. Political cartoons and highlighted quotes appear throughout. The reading may be slow going, but the multiple perspectives encourage critical thought on an emotionally charged issue that is presented as a problem that goes beyond gender or sexual orientation. An informative, thought-provoking resource for both students and educators. Shelle Rosenfeld
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Greenhaven Press; 1 edition (December 7, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0737703466
• ISBN-13: 978-0737703467
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #599,586 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the editor of this anthology, September 18, 2001

By 

T. Roleff (So. California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Opposing Viewpoints Series - Domestic Violence (hardcover edition) (Hardcover)

I am the editor of this book, Domestic Violence: Opposing Viewpoints. I included an article written by Craig Chalquist in this book, which I titled "Therapy Programs for Batterers Are Effective at Reducing Domestic Violence." (His title: "The Masters of Return: Batterers in Recovery and Beyond.")

Mr. Chalquest is dismayed by how some authors perceive domestic violence, and that is his right. He has another valid concern about how batterers attempt to explain/justify/excuse their behavior. However, to give this book a poor review because of it is wrong. The title of this book is Domestic Violence: Opposing Viewpoints, and that is the entire purpose of this book: to present opposing viewpoints about domestic violence. The intent of the book is to present biased arguments on both sides of the issue so that the reader can make up his or her own mind. As he mentioned, not everyone views the problem of domestic violence in the same light he does. If I was the author of the entire book and wrote it espousing one point of view, instead of the editor who included previously published articles that explore different sides of the issue, he would be justified in his criticism. As it is, however, his criticism is irrelevant to the book.

4.0 out of 5 stars from a contributor to this anthology, October 14, 2000

By 

Craig Chalquist, PhD, author of TERRAPSYCHOLO... (Bay Area, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Opposing Viewpoints Series - Domestic Violence (paperback edition) (Hardcover)

Addendum to original review (below): I think the editor makes a good point below re: the purpose of the book. I've adjusted my rating of it because it does indeed contrast opposing viewpoints, some of which (as a counselor involved in the field) I continue to find troubling but recognize as valid contributions to this anthology.

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Writers who see domestic violence as an ongoing, serious, criminal activity are contrasted with those who believe it to be exaggerated and overmeasured. As a man who has worked with both male and female perpetrators as well as a number of male and female victims of domestic violence, I cannot concur with statements that seek to underemphasize the catastrophic impact of what really is a national epidemic.

I was particularly dismayed by characterizations of feminists who point out the patriarchal context of DV as so black and white that all men are supposedly regarded as potential batterers and rapists. I've yet to meet a counselor, critic, or victim advocate of the feminist perspective who really believes this; the relative handful who do tend not to succeed in such an emotional arena, nor do they tend to be trusted by their male and female colleagues. It is also incorrect to imply that feminists by and large think patriarchy "causes" DV. What many maintain rather is that patriarchy forms the context that gives men implicit permission to control women. DV is merely the extreme example of this kind of male privilege.

My own paper emphasizes the need for holding perpetrators accountable for their acts of violence. And so we should. But that accountability and those acts exist in a society of outrageous violence and an ongoing unwillingness to take women's claims of male privilege, power, and abuse seriously. I can't tell you how many battering men have immediately launched into "if it weren't for the women's movement" or "this is all exaggerated" or "it was OJ's fault that I got arrested," ad nauseum, to justify their own misbehavior.

If we are to get a handle on this terrible tragedy of terrorism in our own homes, our own culture, we surely must pay more careful attention to its victims, whose bruised faces and broken bones tell their own tale without recourse to studies or statistics. For this purpose the book does do an adequate job of presenting these crimes in their actual detail, regardless of those who would minimize them might wish to think.