From a violent persons point of view: How can domestic violence be legitimized?

• Main Author: Mariussen Fjørtoft, Siri
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Mittuniversitetet, Institutionen för socialt arbete 2012
• Subjects: QUALITATIVE STUDY; DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; VIOLENT PERSON
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:miun:diva-18706

This article takes a closer look at interactions defined as domestic violence. The intension is to understand how using violence at home can be legitimized with the point of departure of the violent person. The article is therefore based on interviews with three people who have used violence towards a family member. Their stories illuminate processes divided into three phases; in the first phase, the informants perceived the situation which leads to violence as characterized by stress and a feeling of being inferior. In the second phase, the act of violent itself is a way of communicate a disagreement, the target being control over a chaotic situation and its actors. In the third phase, when explaining the events in a retro perspective, it is not referred to as violence, and it is not discussed within the home. The informant tends to normalize the use of aggressive behavior with a group acceptance. Their individual legitimization techniques are related to group and societal aspects in the discussion. To prevent further violence, I argue, the violent people need an established place within the healthcare system in Norway.