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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Domestic Violence in the Popular Discourse: A Victim -Centered Problem

Abstract

dc:description

"Because of the victim-centered portrayal of domestic violence in the popular media, labeling the recipients of abuse ""victims"" has failed to a absolve them from responsibility. This overemphasis on the victim helps abusers escape responsibility and public scrutiny and leads to victim-based solutions. Instead of focusing on preventing abuse before it starts or punishing the abuser after it happens, popular discourse primarily focuses on the victims' needs and problems. Publishing practices and politics contribute to the marginalization of the sociological and feminist perspectives that emphasize the social and cultural context. The dominance of individualism and self-help ideology in the United States foster the psychological perspective of domestic violence. We need alternative media that focus on the roots of violence and the cultural and social factors that foster abuse."

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph.D.
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Sociology
Grantor
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Year dc:date
2015

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Berns, Nancy Sharon
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Lie, John

Subjects

dc:subject × 1

Rights

Language dc:language
eng

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Identifier
(MiAaPQ)AAI9952966
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/86252

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
Base URL
www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh
Last updated
2026-07-22
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Berns, Nancy Sharon. Domestic Violence in the Popular Discourse: A Victim -Centered Problem. Dissertation thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2142/86252