Domestic_Violence_Has_Been_‘Socially_Acceptable’_in_the_Past._Utilising_Theoretical_Perspectives,_Critically_Discuss_the_Validity_of_This_Statement.

Domestic Violence has been ‘socially acceptable’ in the past. Utilising theoretical perspectives, critically discuss the validity of this statement. Domestic violence is defined by the Home Office (2010) as; “any threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between adults who are or have been in a relationship, or between family members. It can affect anybody, regardless of their gender or sexuality. The violence can be psychological, physical, sexual or emotional. It can include honour based violence, female genital mutilation, and forced marriage”. This definition clearly illustrates that the term ‘domestic violence’ no longer only refers to physical abuse but is now used as an umbrella term that incorporates a much broader range of abusive behaviours. It is also worth noting that domestic violence is no longer only an issue concerning married women and, according to this definition, is a problem that can be experienced by “anybody, regardless of their gender or sexuality” (Home Office , 2010). The provision of this definition indicates that the Government still consider domestic violence as a problem within contemporary society, a problem that is further addressed through the implementation of government policies (such as the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act, 2004) and strategies (such as prevention and early intervention, protection and justice, and victim support (Home Office, 2007)) that have been put in place to prosecute, or ideally prevent, the display of such behaviour. With this in mind, it seems clear that the current day message being conveyed by the government is that domestic violence is by no means socially acceptable, yet has this always been the case' This paper will draw upon theoretical perspectives to establish and critically discuss whether domestic violence has ever been considered socially acceptable in the past. This will be achieved through focusing specifically upon the social acceptability of domestic violence in the nineteenth and early twentieth century as this will facilitate comparisons with the social acceptance of domestic violence in the twenty first century.