Briefly describe each of the 6 categories of rationalization used by battered women.?

Answer 1

1) Fear of the batterer's violence (most dangerous time for someone in an abusive relationship is when they try to leave)
2)Immobilized by psychological and physical trauma (too scared to flee/escape)
3)There are children involved (believe child needs father/mother, abusive spouse threatens to flee with kids or have them taken away, or threats to harm children)
4) Belief in cultural, family, religious or traditional values (sometimes support systems are not supportive. pressure victim to stay, blame victim, etc.)
5) Hope/belief that violence will end or he/she will change (batterer makes promises, victim thinks they have power to change the relationship for the better)
6) Batterer threatens suicide or engages in self-destructive behavior (the victim, despite the abuse, still loves the abuser...this places guilt and worry on victim)
7) Lack of funds (nowhere to go, pay not qualify for public assitance or there is too long of a waiting period)
8) Lack of real alternatives for employment/financial assistance (victims are often isolated which causes them to have a lack of employable skills, lack of transportation to job, can't afford daycare for kids so she can work, lost employment, etc.)
9) Can't afford legal assistance (child custody and divorce) Free/low-income legal help isn't always available or accessible
10) Belief that the abuse is their fault. Victims that believe this are likely to stay because they think they somehow deserve the abuse.
11) Drug/substance abuse (to numb physical and emotional pain)

Answer 2

6 categories? I don't know about that, but I can think of some common excuses.

1) I love him too much to leave him
2) I need him, because he fulfills my basic needs and has done so much for me (financial support, companionship, father of the kids, etc)
3) Denial...Some women won't admit that they're being abused, or they will overlook it. Yes, this does happen. If someone doesn't want to admit something, they can convince themselves that they're not being abused and try to focus on the positive characteristics of their abuser (the fact that the abuser is giving them a roof over their head, is giving them attention, etc)
4) Nobody else wants me, except him (low self-esteem), or believing all of the negative things that their abuser says
5) Too intimidated to leave (such as receiving threats from their partner)



I wasn't physically abused, but I've had a verbally abusive ex where I've displayed all of these characteristics. I've seen other women do it too. Abuse truly does **** up with your head, so don't abuse others people.

Answer 3

I didn't know there were "six categories". But I can tell you that battered women are often depressed women, and depression can cause a person to internalize blame for things that are often really not their fault.

Some other rationalizations might include these:

"I deserve what I'm getting because I made him mad."

"I can't make it on my own."

"No one will ever love me like he does."

"My kids would be better off if we stay married."

"If I just show him enough love and forgiveness he will change."

"He is a product of an unhappy childhood."

"No one will love me because I'm too old (or I have too many kids."

"He can't help what he does because he's mentally ill."

"He can't get along without me."

"I can change him."

"I can't change myself."

"I have no one to turn to for support."

"I'll never be able to financially support my family on my own."

"There are other people who have it worse than I do."

"I don't want to upset my friends and family by bringing them into this."

"He doesn't abuse the kids so they aren't being damaged by this."

"My life would be more miserable without him."

(These are by no means ALL of the rationalizations battered women/men use, but these are pretty common, and often strong enough to keep women/men from leaving abusive relationships.)

Answer 4

Only 6?

Answer 5

Trouble

Answer 6

Battered women are often depressed? I would be f*cking depressed to if someone battered my head in all the time. There are no categories, either you battered someone or you didn't, either way they deserve a good beating.

edit: when I said a good beating I didn't mean a woman I meant the man who did it, sorry.

Answer 7

Thank you for asking this question. It relates to why I asked this one:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071201004630AAi3IzC&r=w

The woman I speak of here had her own rationalizations too. SHE'S DEAD!

Answer 8

Can you tell me which one the 'mother' in this case is using?

He crushed the baby's skull for gawds sake.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10198402

Answer 9

Is this an assignment question?