Figure 3-2: Positive and Negative Aspects of Bonding Among Batterers

Positive

  • Support for change
  • Amelioration of feelings of isolation; support for communicating experiences with others
  • Help in dealing with crisis
  • Friendships
Negative

  • Support for control and dominant behavior over partners
  • Support of counterproductive activities (e.g., having multiple sexual partners)
  • Support of negative parenting activities (e.g., having children by different women)
  • Support for a negative definition of manhood
  • Support for believing he is correct and does not have to negotiate or compromise
  • Access to information on how to violate laws such as orders of protection
  • Use of alcohol and other drugs
  • Opportunity to participate in "gripe sessions"-tirades against women under their control
  • Reinforcement of perceived victim status

From: Chapter 3 -- Batterers: An Overview

Cover of Substance Abuse Treatment and Domestic Violence
Substance Abuse Treatment and Domestic Violence.
Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 25.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment.
Copyright Notice

NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.