Tolerating battering: Invisible methods of social control

This article examines how invisible methods of social control contribute to the tolerance of battering amongst women. The study is based on the responses of 173 Palestinian women selected randomly from the East Jerusalem area, and who were interviewed to assess their perception and response to wife battering. Quantitative and qualitative data collected on the respondents suggest that while women do not accept violence practised on them, they tolerate it. Contextual analysis of the data showed that women tolerate violence because no other viable alternative is available to them. An in-depth analysis of the hidden variables contributing to this tolerance is given from a feminist perspective. Suggestions are given regarding the questions researchers should ask when dealing with wife battering.