Asymmetrical role-taking: comparing battered and nonbattered women

Franks's social psychological model of oppressive situations and asymmetric role-taking offers a new way of understanding the predicaments faced by battered women. Unlike individualistic or single-factor explanations, the model suggests that women faced with a particular combination of situational pressures and relationship inequities are especially vulnerable to distressful emotions and self-esteem difficulties. Survey data from 66 battered women using domestic violence services and 80 nonbattered women were collected to test the major propositions of the model. Battered women's social situations were oppressive and characterized by powerlessness, social isolation, and economic dependency. Batterers were poor empathizers. Predictions about self-blame and identification with the aggressor were not confirmed. The practical value of this theoretical approach with its emphasis on enhancing women's power base and increasing men's interpersonal sensitivity is developed.