Developing a theoretical framework to discuss mothers experiencing domestic violence and being subject to interventions: A cross-national perspective

• Published in: International journal for crime, justice and social democracy Vol. 10; no. 2; pp. 113 - 126
• Main Authors: Arnull, Elaine, Stewart, Stacey
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brisbane Queensland University of Technology 01.06.2021
• Subjects: child protection; Child welfare; Children; Criminal law; domestic aduse; Domestic violence; Families & family life; Family violence; Gender; Hegemony; Legislation; Literature reviews; mother; Mothers; Ontology; Patriarchy; Social aspects; Social conditions; Social policy; Social service; Social work; AUSTRALIA; CANADA; UNITED STATES; GREAT BRITAIN
• ISSN: 2202-8005; 2202-7998; 2202-8005
• DOI: 10.5204/IJCJSD.1561

The discourse about domestic violence has developed in patriarchal societies, and so we position our understanding of 'mother' within a patriarchal framework. We explore the ways in which 'mothering' and 'mother blame' have been constructed within that framework and how this becomes relevant in the context of domestic violence and child welfare social work. We review literature from Australia, Canada, England and Wales, and the United States of America that has focused on child welfare responses to mothers experiencing domestic violence and abuse. On the basis of that review, we argue that mothers are responsibilised for violence and abuse they do not perpetrate. We show that the way legislation operates in some jurisdictions facilitates hegemonic, patriarchal constructions. We call for a review of current child welfare social work policy and practice in which domestic violence is present.