Abstract
This paper examines the response of the church and the clergy to the problem of woman battering. A critical review of the theological foundations which may or may not contribute to violence directed toward females is presented. The research examining the response of the clergy to battered women is reviewed. Clergy report being confronted with the problem of woman battering and experiencing much difficulty in handling situations of this nature. In a study conducted by the authors, traditional attitudes were reflected by some modern day clergy; several clerical responses included female-blaming statements. More progressive clergy in this and other studies recognized woman battering as unacceptable; some are even studying ways to more effectively handle woman battering situations. A series of recommendations are included.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Alsdurf, J. M., & Alsdurf, P. (1988). A pastoral response. In A. L. Horton & J. A. Williamson (Eds.),Abuse and religion: When praying isn't enough (pp. 165–171). Massachusetts: Lexington Books.
Alsdurf, P., & Alsdurf, J. M. (1988). Wife abuse and scripture. In A. L. Horton & J. A. Williamson (Eds.),Abuse and religion: When praying isn't enough (pp. 221–227). Massachusetts: Lexington Books.
Bowker, L. H. (1982). Battered women and the clergy: An evaluation.The Journal of Pastoral Care, 36 (4), 226–234.
Bowker, L. H. (1988). Religious victims and their leaders: Services delivered to one thousand battered women by the clergy. In A. L. Horton & J. A. Williamson (Eds.),Abuse and religion: When praying isn't enough (pp. 229–234). Massachusetts: Lexington Books.
Bussert, J. M. K. (1986).Battered women: From a theology of suffering to an ethic of empowerment. New York: Division for Mission in North America, Lutheran Church in America.
Cameron, A. (1980). The battered woman: Why does she stay?The Feminist Connection, 10: 12.
Chittister, J. (1984). Divinely ordained.Sojourners, (13), 16–19.
Christ, C. P. (1986). Why women need the Goddess. In J. B. Cole (Ed.),All American women (pp. 345–358). New York: The Free Press.
Clarke, R. L. (1986).Pastoral care of battered women. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press.
Clarke, R. L. (1989). Hand-me-downs.Daughters of Sarah, 15: 7–9, Jan-F.
Daly, M. (1973).Beyond God the Father. Boston: Beacon Press.
Davidson, T. (1978).Conjugal crime: Understanding and changing the wifebeating pattern. New York: Hawthorn.
Dobash, R. E., & Dobash, R. P. (1978). Wives: The ‘appropriate’ victims of marital violence.Victimology: An International Journal, 2 (3–4), 426–442.
Dobash, R. E., & Dobash, R. P. (1988). Research as social action: The struggle for battered women. In K. Yllo and M. Bograd (Eds.),Feminist perspectives on wife abuse (pp. 51–74). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Finkelhor, D. (1983). Common features of family abuse. In D. Finkelhor, R. J. Gelles, G. T. Hotaling, & M. A. Straus (Eds.),The dark side of families: Current family violence research (pp. 11–16). Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
Fiorenza, E. S. (1983).In memory of her: A feminist theological reconstruction of Christian origins. Crossroad.
Gondolf, E. W., & Fisher, E. (1988).Battered women as survivors: An alternative to treating learned helplessness. Lexington Books.
Gondolf, E. W., Fisher, E., & McFerron, J. R. (1988). Racial differences among shelter residents: A comparison of Anglo, Black, and Hispanic battered.Journal of Family Violence, 3 (1), 39–51.
Harway, M., Hansen, M., & Cervantes, N. (1991). Therapist awareness of appropriate intervention in treatment of domestic violence.Violence and Victims.
Horton, A. L., Wilkins, M. M., & Wright, W. (1988). Women who ended abuse: What religious leaders and religion did for these victims. In A. L. Horton & J. A. Williamson (Eds.),Abuse and religion: When praying isn't enough (pp. 235–246). Massachusetts: Lexington Books.
Katschke-Jennings, B. (1989). Power and abuse: Working toward healthier relationships in the church.American Baptist Quarterly, 8 268–275 D.
Liaboe, G. P. (1985). The case of wife battering in considering divorce.Journal of Psychology and Theology, 13 (2), 129–138.
Martin, D. (1983).Battered wives. New York: Pocket Books.
Martin, S. E. (1989). Research note: The response of the clergy to spouse abuse in a suburban county.Violence and Victims, 4 (3), 217–225.
McHugh, M. C., & Wood, A. D. (1992). Research note: The response of the clergy to woman battering. Unpublished Manuscript.
Nickles, E., & Ashcraft, L. (1981). The facts of life.The coming matriarchy.
Pagelow, M. D. (1981).Woman-battering: Victims and their experiences. Beverly Hills: Sage.
Pagelow, M. D., & Johnson, P. (1988). Abuse in the American family: The role of religion. In A. L. Horton & J. A. Williamson (Eds.),Abuse and religion: When praying isn't enough (pp. 1–12). Massachusetts: Lexington Books.
Reverend asks churches to stop family violence. (1990, May 18).The Indiana Gazette, p. 3.
Ruether, R. R. (1983).Sexism and God-talk: Toward a feminist theology. Beacon Press.
Ruth, S. (1990).Issues in feminism: An introduction to women's studies. California: Mayfield Publishing Company.
Scanzoni, L., & Hardesty, N. (1974).All we're meant to be: A Biblical approach to women's liberation. Word Books.
Social Affairs Committee of the Assembly of Quebec Bishops (1989).A heritage of violence? (A. Kinlough, Trans.). Quebec, Canada: Psilog Inc. Bibliography.
Stacey, W. A., & Shupe, A. (1983).The family secret. Boston: Beacon Press.
Steese, E. (1988). What statistics and shelters say about battered women. In E. Gondolf's,Man against woman. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Tab Books Inc.
Thistlethwaite, S. B. (1981). Battered women and the Bible: From subjection to liberation.Christianity and Crisis, Nov. 16.
Trembley, D. (1983). Breaking the silence.Christianity and Crisis, 43 39–40, Feb 21.
Walker, C. T. Sr. (1987). A Christian perspective of God and suffering: Particularly in family violence/spouse abuse.The A. M. E. Zion Quarterly Review, 22–37, O.
Walker, L. (1979).The battered woman. New York: Harper and Row.
Yllo, K. (1988). Political and methodological debates in wife abuse research. In K. Yllo & M. Bograd (Eds.),Feminist perspectives on wife abuse (pp. 28–50). Newbury Park: Sage Publications.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Summary of Master's Thesis, Indiana University of PA, Indiana, PA 15705.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wood, A.D., McHugh, M.C. Woman battering: The response of the clergy. Pastoral Psychol 42, 185–196 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01023827
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01023827