Responsible disinhibition: Alcohol, men and violence to women

Abstract

Theories about alcohol's role in stranger violence abound. Theories about alcohol's role in ‘domestic violence’1 do not. The targets of such violence differ as does the nature of the violence towards them. Theory needs to reflect this. This article reviews key theories linking alcohol and violence. Further, it reports on research with 20 women that resulted in an alternative theory on the role of alcohol in their partner's violence. The results of the research are summarised and placed within the theoretical model, ‘Responsible Disinhibition’. The model is grounded in the women's views and highlights individual responsibility for violence regardless of the level of intoxication. Finally, this article argues that theory needs to reflect the socio-cultural context in which it was constructed – a context that combines two culturally male and culturally tolerated behaviours – heavy drinking and violent behaviour.

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