ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a unique and innovative perspective on a complex problem that has only recently generated public concern in Euro American society: wife-beating. It also reviews cross cultural studies and other promising areas of research. Most earlier cross-cultural studies have dealt with more than one type of family violence. Several earlier studies have used cross-cultural evidence concerning wife-beating in a less quantified and less systematic way. Suzanne Steinmetz conducted a study using questionnaires on individuals from a sample of six societies, examining among other variables the frequency and severity of marital abuse. Sanctuary is as problematical as in the United States, and women are compelled to remain with their abusive spouses. Sanctions imposed by a society may be informal or formal, negative or positive.
