Abstract
This paper analyzes the coexistence of aggressive relations reported by 888 intact child-rearing families using the National Survey of Physical Violence in American Families. The existence of spousal violence in the family of origin increased the likelihood that the respondent, whether husband or wife, was the target of aggression from his or her spouse. Aggression between parent and child in female respondents' families of origin increased the likelihood that females behaved aggressively toward their children. Among these families, no pervasive pattern of sex-specific learned perpetration was found. Instead, vulnerability to aggression was transmitted more than the learned role of perpetrator. The analysis differs from earlier studies in that all of the patterns of family aggression are analyzed simultaneously, thereby taking into account current family interactions as well as historical ones.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Berk, R., Berk, S. F., Loseke, D., and Rauma, D. (1983). Mutual combat and other family violence myths. In Finkelhor, D., Gelles, R., Hotaling, G., and Straus, M. (eds.),The Dark Side of Families: Current Family Violence Research. Sage, Beverly Hills, pp. 197–212.
Burgess, R., and Draper, P. (1989). The explanation of family violence: The role of biological, behavioral, and cultural selection. In Ohlin, L., and Tonry, M. (eds.),Family Violence, Crime and Justice: A Review of Research, Vol. 11. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 59–116.
Elliot, F. (1982). Biological contributions to family violence. In Hansen, J. (Ed.),Clinical Approaches to Family Violence. Rockville, Md.
Fagan, J. A., Stewart, D., and Hansen, K. (1983). Violent men or violent husbands? Background factors and situational correlates. In Finkelhor, D., Gelles, R., Hotaling, G., Straus, M. (eds.),The Dark Side of Families: Current Family Violence Research. Sage, Beverly Hills, pp. 49–67.
Frieze, I. H., and Browne, A. (1989). Violence in marriage. In Ohlin, L., and Tonry, M., (eds.),Family Violence, Crime and Justice: A Review of Research, Vol. 11. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 163–218.
Gelles, R. (1976). Abused wives: Why do they stay?J. Man. Fam. 38: 659–668.
Gelles, R. (1979).Family Violence. Sage, Beverly Hills.
Herrenkohl, E., Herrenkohl, R., and Toedter, L. (1983). Perspectives on the intergenerational transmission of abuse. In Finkelhor, D., Gelles, R., Hotaling, G., and Straus, M. (eds.),The Dark Side of Families: Current Family Violence Research. Sage, Beverly Hills, pp. 305–316.
Herzberger, S. (1983). Social cognition and the transmission of abuse. In Finkelhor, D., Gelles, R., Hotaling, G., and Straus, M. (eds.),The Dark Side of Families: Current Family Violence Research. Sage, Beverly Hills, pp. 317–329.
Hotaling, G. T., and Sugarman, D. B. (1986). An analysis of risk markers in husband to wife violence: The current state of knowledge.Violence and Victims 1: 101–124.
Hotaling, G., Straus, M., and Lincoln, A. (1989). Intrafamily violence, and crime and violence outside the family. In Ohlin, L. and Tonry, M. (eds.),Family Violence, Crime and Justice: A Review of Research, Vol. 11, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 315–376.
Jayaratne, S. (1977). Child abusers as parents and children: A review.Social Work 22: 5–9.
Kalmuss, D. (1984). The intergenerational transmission of marital aggression.J. Marr. Fam. 46: 11–19.
Moyer, K. E. (1987).Violence and Aggression: A Physiological Perspective. Paragon House, New York.
Pagelow, M. (1985). The ‘battered husband syndrome’: Social problem or much ado about little? In Johnson, N. (ed.),Marital Violence, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London.
Ryan, W. (1971).Blaming the Victim. Vintage Books, New York.
Schlechter, S. (1982).Women and Male Violence. South End Press, Boston.
Stark, E., and Flitcraft, A. (1983). Social knowledge, social policy, and the abuse of women: The case against patriarchal benevolence. In Finkelhor, D., Gelles, R., Hotaling, G., and Straus, M. (eds.),The Dark Side of Families: Current Family Violence Research. Sage, Beverly Hills, pp. 330–348.
Straus, M. (1980). A sociological perspective on the prevention of wife-beating. In Straus, M. and Hotaling, G. (eds.),The Social Causes of Husband-Wife Violence. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis.
Straus, M., Gelles, R., and Steinmetz, S. (1980).Behind Closed Doors. Anchor Books, New York.
Straus, M. (1982).A Reevaluation of the Conflict Tactics Scale Violence Measures and Some New Measures (mimeograph), University of New Hampshire.
Straus, M. (1983). Ordinary violence, child abuse, and wife-beating: What do they have in common? In Finkelhor, D., Gelles, R., Hotaling, G., and Straus, M. (eds.),The Dark Side of Families: Current Family Violence Research. Sage, Beverly Hills, pp. 213–234.
Wardell, L., Gillespie, D., and Leffler, A. (1983). Science and violence against wives. In Finkelhor, D., Gelles, R., Hotaling, G., and Straus, M. (eds.),The Dark Side of Families: Current Family Violence Research. Sage, Beverly Hills, pp. 69–84.
Weis, J. (1989). Family violence research methodology and design. In Ohlin, L., and Tonry, M. (eds.),Family Violence, Crime and Justice: A Review of Research, Vol. 11. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 117–162.
Wilson, J. Q., and Herrnstein, R. (1985).Crime and Human Nature. Simon and Schuster, New York.
Wolfgang, M., and Ferracuti, F. (1982).The Subculture of Violence: Towards an Integrated Theory in Criminology. Sage, Beverly Hills.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cappell, C., Heiner, R.B. The intergenerational transmission of family aggression. J Fam Viol 5, 135–152 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00978516
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00978516