SSStttooonnnyyy BBBrrrooooookkk UUUnnniiivvveeerrrsssiiitttyyy The official electronic file of this thesis or dissertation is maintained by the University Libraries on behalf of The Graduate School at Stony Brook University. ©©© AAAllllll RRRiiiggghhhtttsss RRReeessseeerrrvvveeeddd bbbyyy AAAuuuttthhhooorrr... Gender, Power, and Inequality: An Examination of the Causes and Consequences of Queer Intimate Partner Violence A Dissertation Presented by Bethany Marie Coston to The Graduate School in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology Stony Brook University August 2014 ! Stony Brook University The Graduate School Bethany Marie Coston We, the dissertation committee for the above candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy degree, hereby recommend acceptance of this dissertation. Michael Kimmel – Dissertation Advisor Distinguished Professor, Department of Sociology Melissa Forbis – Chairperson of Defense Assistant Professor, Department of Cultural Analysis and Theory Arnout van de Rijt – Associate Professor Department of Sociology Lisa Diedrich – Associate Professor Department of Cultural Analysis and Theory Stony Brook University This dissertation is accepted by the Graduate School Charles Taber Dean of the Graduate School ii! ! ! Abstract Gender, Power, and Inequality: An Examination of the Causes and Consequences of Queer Intimate Partner Violence by Bethany Marie Coston Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology Stony Brook University 2014 Violence is a not a new social phenomenon—at least, in the sense that violence has occurred throughout history between individuals, within communities, and practiced by institutions. But mainstream sociological studies of violence are all too often studies of men’s violence. This project is an attempt to challenge critically the specter of heteronormativity that haunts the theories and praxis of intimate partner violence (IPV). Under this preexisting framework, studies have focused on men’s violence against woman and used patriarchy as an explanation (i.e. the unequal distribution of gendered power, with men benefiting). However, I want to know if gender is still relevant theoretically or practically, particularly in cases where the partners are the same-sex or a woman is abusing a man. I ask, “if not gender, what?” This is the study of violence, queered. Within the project, I challenge the notion that patriarchy is a grand theory for explaining violence in relationships and propose a more nuanced conceptual tool. While men’s power and/or masculinity as power is important, other sources of privilege are, too—for instance, age, race ethnicity, nationality, or socioeconomic status. I use this critical, feminist intersectional frame to examine not only the prevalence of and risk factors for IPV, but also the structural inequalities in the detection and “treatment” of it: the homophobic, gender-normative, and racist healthcare system and the lacking protections for LGBT individuals and people of color; unequal access to affordable healthcare, the resulting negative health outcomes; and the myriad problematic approaches to educating and training agents of bureaucratic agencies on these issues. The hope is that with new insights from this project, there is a place for macro-level intervention (policy language, training of care providers, funding for specialized program and services, and so on). I demand an approach to ending intimate partner violence that is accountable to the interlocking systems of oppression and privilege, aimed at social justice for all people. iii! ! ! Dedication To Liz – without you, I would not have been able to mentally, or literally, finish this project. I am forever grateful to have you with me in this anti-violence, anti-assimilationist fight. To the 61 LGBTQH men and women who we know died at the hands of intimate partner from 2008-2012 – you did not die in vain. We know there are so many more of you. We will do better. iv ! ! v ! ! Table of Contents Signature Page ........................................................................................................... ii Abstract .................................................................................................................... iii Dedication ................................................................................................................ iv Frontispiece ............................................................................................................... v Table of Contents ..................................................................................................... vi List of Figures and Tables ........................................................................................ ix List of Abbreviations ................................................................................................. x Acknowledgements .................................................................................................. xi I. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 II. Review of the Literature ...................................................................................... 7 An Argument for a Historical Framework .......................................................... 7 History of Men’s Domestic Violence Against Women .................................... 11 History of Same-Sex Domestic Violence ......................................................... 19 History of Women’s Domestic Violence Against Men .................................... 32 Intimate Partner Violence as a Health Issue ...................................................... 48 Moving Research Forward ................................................................................ 55 Research Objectives .......................................................................................... 56 Contributions of Proposed Research ................................................................ 57 Roadmap for the Project ................................................................................... 58 III. Data & Methods ............................................................................................... 60 Framework ....................................................................................................... 60 Analysis ............................................................................................................ 60 Source of the Data ................................................................................. 60 Sample ................................................................................................... 61 Experience of Violence .......................................................................... 61 Reliability and Validity .................................................................................... 64 Limitations ............................................................................................ 65 IV. Intimate Partner Violence Adult Lifetime Risk Assessment ........................... 70 Research Objectives ....................................................................................... 71 Risk Factors ................................................................................................... 72 vi ! ! Individual Level .................................................................................... 72 Relationship Level ................................................................................ 73 Community Level ................................................................................. 74 Social Level .......................................................................................... 74 Methods ......................................................................................................... 74 Outcome Variables ................................................................................ 75 Predictor Variables ................................................................................ 76 Results ............................................................................................................ 78 Discussion ...................................................................................................... 86 Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 89 Appendix A. Tables ........................................................................................ 91 Appendix B. Model Fit Graphs ...................................................................... 92 V. Expanded Effects of Power and Inequality on Intimate Partner Violence ......... 94 Research Objectives ....................................................................................... 95 Including (but not limited to) Traditional Gender Norms ............................... 95 Methods ......................................................................................................... 98 Dependent Variables ............................................................................. 99 Independent Variables ........................................................................... 99 Control Variables ................................................................................ 100 Results .......................................................................................................... 101 Regression Analysis - Men .........................................................................