"If I really loved him enough he would be okay" : women's accounts of male partner violence Towns, Alison; Adams, Peter
By: Towns, Alison.
Contributor(s): Adams, Peter J.
Material type: ArticleSeries: Violence Against Women.Publisher: 2000ISSN: 1077-8012.Subject(s): CULTURAL ISSUES | DOMESTIC VIOLENCE | GENDER | VICTIMS | WOMEN | INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCEOnline resources: Read abstract In: Violence Against Women, 2000, 6(6): 558-585Summary: This article discusses how social ideals of romantic love contribute to the continuation of violent relationships. Interviews with 20 women pointed to the fact that discourses of 'perfect-love' play a significant part in women's decisions to maintain relationships with men who use violence against them. The ideals and expectations of 'perfect love' also work to silence women from talking about the violence. The authors used a feminist post-structuralist discourse analysis framework. The authors maintain that these findings have significance for early intervention and prevention strategies.Violence Against Women, 2000, 6(6): 558-585
This article discusses how social ideals of romantic love contribute to the continuation of violent relationships. Interviews with 20 women pointed to the fact that discourses of 'perfect-love' play a significant part in women's decisions to maintain relationships with men who use violence against them. The ideals and expectations of 'perfect love' also work to silence women from talking about the violence. The authors used a feminist post-structuralist discourse analysis framework. The authors maintain that these findings have significance for early intervention and prevention strategies.