Research Proposal

The purpose of this research proposal is to address the area of domestic violence in heterosexual relationships and why women find it difficult to leave abusive relationships. The proposal will start with a title which basically indicates what the report is about. There will be a literature review which covers the key literature used for the study; research questions for victims of domestic violence will also be formulated to aid the study. The proposal will address the research design to be used as well as the methods of data collection and at the same time emphasis will also be placed on the appropriateness of the method chosen. As expected with every research the proposal will deal with possible problems that could be faced and how they will be addressed including ethical issues. The proposal will also address the timescale for this project outlining the research schedule and that should be concluded with a bibliography.

 

Title: Women’s silence to domestic violence: why some do no leave abusive relationships.

Hypothesis: People hold the view that women who choose not to leave those abusive relationships are passive.

Aims of the investigation

  • To explore a range of social explanations for the causes of intimate partner violence.
  • To find out why women find it difficult to leave abusive relationships.
  • To develop an informative framework to victims of domestic violence and enlighten them on the policies of domestic violence.

Context of study

This proposed study is focusing on the data generated by social theorist on violence against women such as Bandura 1973who outline the reasons why some women find it difficult to leave abusive husbands. Hamilton & Coates (1993) rightly stated that women who do not leave abusive relationships are often pathologized and blamed for their victimization. This is what generally happens and therefore the focus of attention is shifted from the wrongs perpetrated by the abuser to people viewing the abused as passive. Several theories have been put forward to try and explain why abused women do not leave their relationships for example that women tend not leave because they are economically dependant on the abuser. Also Abbott, Johnson, Koziol and Lowenstein (1995) suggested that characteristics of the abuser such as charm may stop the woman from leaving the relationship.  This research will pay particular attention to the current social assumption of women who do not leave abusive relationships are masochistic and are to blame for their situations and test out whether the theories put forward are still applicable in the modern day times. The research will address this issue and help correct this grounded view of victims of abuse and provide useful information on domestic violence policies and laws that could rescue victims.

Literature Review

Literature review is integral to this research; this will therefore focus on the research question and its importance. Attention will also be paid to where there are gaps in this field of research and how they will be addressed. It is also necessary to consider whether it is beneficial to fill these gaps and identify who has made an attempt to fill them.

Join now!

The importance of the research question is that it addresses the issue of intimate partner violence and how the violence is learned in the socialization of family life and why women tend not leave those abusive relationships. There has not been much focus on the type research that I am carrying out recently. Most of the theoretical data that I managed to get hold of was on information gathered in the early 1980s to mid 90s. Changes within the society as well as technology means that the above factors might not be as accurate as to why women do not ...

This is a preview of the whole essay