The Straw That Broke the Camel's Back: African American Women's Strategies for Disengaging from Abusive Relationships

In this ethnographic study, a womanist framework was used to investigate the disengaging-terminating process used by Black women (N= 21) who had survived intimate male partner abuse. Data interpretation revealed three stages of disengaging described by the survivors: (a) defining moments: rejecting...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Women & therapy 2002-01, Vol.25 (3-4), p.79-94
Main Author: Taylor, Janette Y.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
African Americans
Battered Women
Black culture
Black people
Blacks
Culture
Human relations
Interpersonal communication
Interpersonal Relations
Minority & ethnic groups
Partner Abuse
Personal relationships
relationship termination
Social conditions & trends
Society
Spouse Abuse
Violence
Washington (State)
Citations: Items that this one cites
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Description
Summary:In this ethnographic study, a womanist framework was used to investigate the disengaging-terminating process used by Black women (N= 21) who had survived intimate male partner abuse. Data interpretation revealed three stages of disengaging described by the survivors: (a) defining moments: rejecting the violence and exiting the relationship; (b) moving away: distancing the self; and (c) moving on: finding affirmation and support. This process is representative of individual and collective acts of resistance. Suggestions for therapeutic interventions are offered for each stage of the disengagement process.
ISSN:0270-3149
1541-0315
DOI:10.1300/J015v25n03_06