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Mortification of the self : Goffman's theory and abusive intimate relationships Jury, Ang

By: Material type: ArticleArticlePublication details: 2005ISBN:
  • 187737217X
ISSN:
  • 1124099
Subject(s): In: Women's Studies Journal 19(2) 2005 : 13-31Summary: This study investigated the experiences of 25 women victims of intimate partner abuse, and connects Erving Goffman's ideas of the total institution and mortification of the self to these experiences. A qualitative methodology was employed, using face-to-face interviews with the participants. The author investigated how women often feel they are to blame for the abuse that they suffered. Many of the participants revealed they struggled to come to terms with how they had 'allowed' the abuse to happen to them. The author relates Goffman's idea of total institutions restricting a person's autonomy to the experiences of domestic violence victims, specifically the loss of sense of self. This article suggests that Goffman's ideas are useful in understanding the experiences of domestic violence victims.
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This study investigated the experiences of 25 women victims of intimate partner abuse, and connects Erving Goffman's ideas of the total institution and mortification of the self to these experiences. A qualitative methodology was employed, using face-to-face interviews with the participants. The author investigated how women often feel they are to blame for the abuse that they suffered. Many of the participants revealed they struggled to come to terms with how they had 'allowed' the abuse to happen to them. The author relates Goffman's idea of total institutions restricting a person's autonomy to the experiences of domestic violence victims, specifically the loss of sense of self. This article suggests that Goffman's ideas are useful in understanding the experiences of domestic violence victims.

Women's Studies Journal 19(2) 2005 : 13-31