Regverdiging vir ’n multigenerasiebenadering tot geweld teenoor vroue

Bowen’s multigenerational approach to family functioning is applied in an analysis of violence against women in cohabiting and marital relationships. It moves away from linear analysis of the victim and the perpetrator to a circular approach reaching beyond the dynamics of the nuclear family. This approach offers an explanation of the multigenerational transfer of violence and is appropriate to the analysis and description of the emotional, cognitive and behavioural aspects of those involved. It also elucidates contributing factors to dysfunctionalities in some children from violent families and clarifies why only certain children from such families perpetuate violent behaviour in their adult relationships.