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Violence and Gender Reexamined
Richard B. Felson
American Psychological Association, Washington, DC
Violence and Gender Reexamined challenges one of western culture’s most deeply held assumptions: That violence against women is different from violence against men. In this elegantly argued and well-researched book, author Richard Felson argues that this type of violence is rarely the result of sexism or hatred against women. The author cites research suggesting that the motives for violence against women are similar to the motives for violence against men: To gain control or retribution and to promote or defend self-image. These motives play a role in almost all violence, regardless of gender. Using a comparative method to determine how violence against women differs from violence against men, he illustrates not only that violence against women is less frequent than violence against men but also that our culture and legal system treat it more harshly. Contrary to the claims that our courts “blame the victim” in cases of violence against women, the author shows that the tradition of protection of women sometimes produces the opposite effect, and that it is due process and not sexism that makes, for instance, rape cases seem biased against women. This powerful book encourages all readers, be they psychologists, lawyers, social scientists, or concerned lay people, to question preconceptions about gender and violence.
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About the Author
Richard B. Felson, PhD, is professor of Crime, Law, and Justice and of Sociology at Pennsylvania State University. He obtained his PhD in sociology at Indiana University in 1977, specializing in social psychology. In the last decade, Dr. Felson moved into the field of criminology, concentrating his research on the study of interpersonal violence. He has written extensively in this area, on such topics as situational factors in homicide and motives for rape and domestic violence. His articles have appeared in a variety of journals including Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Social Forces, Social Psychology Quarterly, and Criminology (where he serves on the editorial board). He is a coauthor or coeditor of three other books published by the American Psychological Association: Violence, Aggression and Coercive Actions (1994, with James T. Tedeschi); Aggression and Violence: Social Interactionist Perspectives (1993, edited with James T. Tedeschi); and Psychological Perspectives on Self and Identity (2000, edited with Abraham Tesser and Jerry M. Suls).
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Richard Felson’s book, Violence and Gender Reexamined, is a breath of fresh air in a body of literature redolent with ideological pleadings and heavy-handed sectarian platitudes. The book advances unfashionable but powerful arguments in lively and uncluttered fashion, which makes the reading experience both thought-provoking and enjoyable.
-Hans Toch, PhD, Distinguished Professor, University at Albany of the State University of New York
This is an important, fascinating book by a brilliant and courageous thinker. Dr. Felson uses a wealth of facts and findings in a careful, disciplined manner to show that many “politically correct” views are utterly wrong. Everyone who is interested in the truth about gender and violence should read this book. It is unfortunate that many people will be too prejudiced or close-minded to learn from it.
-Roy F. Baumeister, Professor of Psychology, holds the Elsie B. Smith Chair in the Liberal Arts at Case Western Reserve University
In Violence and Gender Reexamined, Richard Felson documents that there are special characteristics of male violence against women. But his main proposition is that violence against women should be understood as violence, not sexism. Indeed, he argues that hatred toward women (misogyny) plays a small role in violence toward women and that traditional (sexist) attitudes toward women inhibit violence against women. Among many controversial findings, he concludes that gender differences in sexuality suggest that rape usually has a component of sexual motivation. To support this and other conclusions, Felson employs a wide range of empirical evidence and analyses from a variety of disciplines.
This book will be a significant contribution for criminologists and other social scientists who study violence against women. Without doubt, it will stimulate additional empirical research as well as considerable professional and public debate and discussion.
-Kenneth C. Land, PhD, John Franklin Crowell Professor of Sociology, Duke University, Durham, NC
Richard Felson's assessment of the relationship between gender and violence is thoughtful, articulate, and without a doubt, highly controversial. Critics will find his analyses challenging and not easy to dismiss. Indeed, all who are concerned with this important issue will now have to justify their assertions with greater evidence, logic, and clarity. Violence and Gender Reexamined should raise the level of debate about women's violence, and it is essential reading for violence researchers, policy-makers, and women's and victims' advocates.
Janet Lauritsen, PhD
Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
University of Missouri-St. Louis
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I am putting this book on my need to read list. I agree that finding this on a university list is progress. I also find the challenges to the current paradigm in the forwards good news as well. Once again, thank you Dan.
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"Once again, thank you Dan."
Thank you. Even though I have thought of many of these ideas in my courtroom dealings and with the research I have studied we should also thank Dr. Felson for writing the book. His position is that the feminist arguements just do not stand up to the scrutiney. Again I hopefully will be able to send out the first chapter anyways. Defninately this is a good book to read.
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