Gender and spousal violence: A test of social control and power-control theories

Abstract

This research will provide an explanation of spousal violence that previously has been lacking in the family violence literature--a social control approach. This research tests the hypothesis that those with stronger bonds to society will be less likely to engage in Spousal violence. Furthermore, this research will incorporate the role that family structures have in stratifying social control for males and females by testing power-control theory. This theory suggests that women from egalitarian households of origin will be more likely to commit wife to husband violence than those from patriarchal households. Results derived from log it models provide partial support for social control theory; however, there is a lack of evidence to support power-control theory's explanation of wife to husband violence.