The ‘Battered Husband Syndrome’: Social Problem or Much ado about Little?

Abstract

The newly recognized social problem of wife-beating quickly became clouded by confusion over the introduction of the idea of a ‘battered husband syndrome’. The media immediately sensationalized the idea, because the concept of men suffering physical abuse at the hands of the ‘little woman’ is contrary to role expectations. This article examines the data, statements and generalizations upon which the claims were based. There is not enough scientifically sound empirical evidence to support the notion of a battered husband syndrome, although most of the general public is not aware of that. Much of the evidence put forward for the argument was taken out of context, data were added, altered, or eliminated, and generalizations were introduced as fact. Other evidence that the overwhelming proportion of victims of violence are women was ignored. However, the divisive question of male versus female victims hampered efforts to increase the funding and provision of other resources to female victims of family violence, and the debate tended to trivialize their demands for civil rights.