A Ray of Light on DV
"The Duluth Model was developed by people who didn't understand anything about therapy," said Donald Dutton, a psychology professor at the University of British Columbia who has studied abusive personalities and insists gender doesn't play a role. "Feminists don't like psychological explanations, but they're necessary if we ever want to stop domestic violence."
This remarkably even-handed article on DV treatment by Megan Twohey shows the two sides of the issue, and if anything, comes down on the side of good sense (Chicago Tribune, 1/2/09).
Basically, it presents the short history of how we've approached DV in this country. Twohey explains the feminist approach which holds that men are almost exclusively the perpetrators of DV and women the victims. Men commit DV, according to this theory, out of a desire to control the behavior of women. She points out that state agencies are particularly enthusiastic about this viewpoint.
(I remember when this was first being expounded and have always wondered if there was anything legitimate to back it up. If anyone out there knows of anything, I'd like to see it.)
The other approach is psychological. It holds that people of whatever sex who commit domestic violence probably have a personality disorder rooted in family violence and/or neglect in childhood. It is, thus, a treatable condition. It's not a power game, but the result of childhood stressors.
Neither side seems to have much truck with the other.
But articles like this one inch us closer to the goal of a sane system for combating DV. If you're inclined, let the Chicago Tribune editors know you appreciate Twohey's work.
Thanks to Justin for letting us know about this article.
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