What is transmitted in the intergenerational transmission of violence?

• Published in: Journal of marriage and family Vol. 53; no. 3; pp. 657 - 668
• Main Authors: Alexander, P.C, Moore, S, Alexander, E.R. III
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Minneapolis, Minn National Council on Family Relations 01-08-1991; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Abuse and Neglect; aggression; attitudes and opinions; Battered Women; child abuse; College Students; Cultural Transmission; Dating (Social); dating violence; Domestic violence; Family Violence; gender differences; generations; Higher Education; interpersonal relationships; marital violence; Men; Opposite Sex Relations; Parent Child Relationship; Parents; Personal relationships; Predictor Variables; Psychological attitudes; Sex Differences; Sexual violence; Social dating; Social interaction; Social life & customs; Social research; social values; Southern States; Spouse Abuse; Student Attitudes; Violence; Violence against women; women
• ISSN: 0022-2445; 1741-3737
• DOI: 10.2307/352741

This study investigates the intergenerational transmission of violence among dating partners. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to answer three questions: What is (are) (a) the effect of a history of violence on dating violence, (b) the effects of witnessing marital violence on one's own attitudes toward women, and (c) the effect of attitudes toward women on dating violence? Severe abuse by his father predicted a man's violent behavior. Witnessing marital violence predicted a woman's liberal attitudes and a man's conservative attitudes. Finally, a discrepancy in attitudes toward women and particularly a woman's liberal attitudes toward women predicted her violent behavior.