ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book describes the methods and findings of two landmark studies: the National Family Violence Survey conducted in 1975 and the National Family Violence Resurvey of 1985. The National Family Violence Surveys are the only nationally representative studies of family violence. The Violence items are further subdivided into "Minor" and "Severe" Violence. The Minor Violence items are threw something at the other family member; pushed, grabbed, or shoved; and slapped or spanked. The tactics fall into three general modes: rational discussion, termed Reasoning; verbal or nonverbal acts that symbolically hurt the other, termed Verbal Aggression; and the use of physical aggression, termed Violence. The effort to formulate and test theories of family violence is at least as fundamental as the effort to explain such aspects of the family as gender role differentiation and power.
