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Explorations in Ethnic Studies

Explorations in Ethnic Studies

Orginal Publication Date

1994

Journal Title

Explorations in Ethnic Studies

Volume

17

Issue

ees/vol17/iss2

First Page

[125]

Last Page

142

Abstract

This paper examines the role of culture in shaping perceptions, definitions, and interpretations Mexican American and Anglo American women hold of domestic abuse. Two theoretical views concerning perceptions that Mexican Americans may hold of domestic abuse are discussed. The first view suggests that Mexican American women follow a pluralist model and therefore differ significantly in their perceptions of domestic abuse from Anglo American women. The second position holds that Mexican American women are quickly becoming assimilated into the American mainstream and consequently share attitudes toward domestic abuse similar to those of Anglo American women. Interviews were conducted with women living in shelters for battered women in 1986. The findings suggest that for Mexican American women, cultural pluralism, rather than assimilation, may be the norm in understanding their perceptions of domestic abuse.

Rights

Copyright, ​©EES, The National Association for Ethnic Studies, 1994

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