This case study examines the experience of Anne Taylor, a 32-year-old woman who was the victim of domestic violence by her husband Peter during a family vacation in Jamaica. It analyzes the situation through various psychological theories related to gender socialization and roles. It describes how Anne's cultural background and relationship with her husband influenced her definition of her roles as a wife and mother. It also examines the responses of Anne's children Thomas and Megan to the domestic violence incident and changes in family structure through the lenses of gender socialization theory and gender schema theory.

1. Running head: FINAL PROJECT 1
(8-1) Final Project: Final Paper
Alexandra Perkins
Southern New Hampshire University

2. FINAL PROJECT 2
The experience of domestic violence leaves victims battered and searching for a
redefinition of oneself. The case study of Anne Taylor, a 32-yr-old married woman,
follows her experience of domestic violence by her husband to herself and her children.
The familial relationship between members of Anne’s family are strained and elucidates
the complexity of navigating domestic violence situations in the context of conservative
gender constructivism. Various familial structures between differing cultural perspectives
offer contrasts in relationships, interpretations of events, and outside influences at the
individual, family, and societal level.
During a trip to her home country, Anne Taylor is the victim of domestic
violence. While on vacation in Jamaica, Anne is confronted by her husband Peter and
accused of “making a fool out of me" and "you ruin my vacation." After physically
assaulting his wife and children, Peter left the apartment and threatened to kill Anne’s
friend which she had spent time with earlier that day. Rather than staying in Jamaica and
filing a police report, Anne decides to return to the U.S. with her children to receive
medical attention and a protective order. Anne’s response to her husband’s domestic
violence is quick, proactive, and challenges the boundaries set in her relationship by her
husband. From a constructionist lens, Anne’s behavior prior to the incident of domestic
violence reflects that her definition of her role as a woman and mother has been primarily
outlined by her husband and culture. Social constructionists “emphasize the social
context by arguing that gender does not reside inside a person but instead resides in our
interactions with people” (Pinel & Barnes, 2017). Rather than defining her role as a wife
and a mother as part of her individual self, Anne focuses on defining her gender identity
through her experiences and interactions with others, specifically through her relationship
with her husband. Upon witnessing her husband’s escalation, rather than removing

3. FINAL PROJECT 3
herself and children from the situation immediately, Anne attempts to mitigate this
conflict with her husband. After assaulting her and leaving the apartment, Anne lets her
husband back inside the apartment where he continued to act out violently towards his
wife, and now his children. Additionally, evidence in the case study suggests that the role
Anne has defined for herself as a mother is of utmost significance. Upon moving to harm
his children, Anne takes a beating to her back, neck, and waist with a belt to protect her
children from harm.
Having been born in Jamaica and assumed residence in the U.S. with her husband,
Anne’s familial structure is a blend of Jamaican and American values. Culture in Jamaica
is both Euro- and Afro-centered with special attention placed on values like education,
religion, employment, and family. In Jamaica, families are tightly knit and “even when
children start leading their own lives, their families continue to preside over and worry
about their best interests and well-being” (Stephanie, 2004). Anne’s relationship with her
children supports the constructionist lens which suggests that her cultural background
and experiences with others influences her definition of her role as a mother. Further
evidence from the case study emphasizing the care that Anne places on her children’s
well-being also supports this notion. Upon the initial home visit, the social worker was
able to identify that it “was clear that this 2-bedroom apartment was clean, well-
organized and furnished, with plenty of food in the refrigerator, locks and guards on the
windows, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Ms. M. was able to show the worker
the children's vaccination records and said the children have no special medical or mental
health needs.” It is evident to the social worker through her actions to keep her children
from harm and the quality of care she provides to them at home that she values her role
as a mother deeply.

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Further evidence suggests that Anne also adopts a social role theory in her
definition of her gender roles. In addition to constructivism, the social role theory states
that “differences in women’s and men’s behavior are a function of the different roles
women and men hold in our society” (Pinel & Barnes, 2017). Upon the removal of her
husband from the household, Anne is forced to redefine herself as a mother and as a
father figure. Anne’s children, Thomas and Megan, evidently hold fear toward their
father following his outburst in Jamaica. During the visits with the social worker, Anne
expresses her desire for aid in obtaining two separate beds for her children. Having to
now adopt the role as a provider for herself and her children, Anne has moved from the
definition of gender roles her husband has dictated for her to the roles she must now
assume to provide the best care for her family. This new role requires that Anne continue
to work, which she expresses a fear of losing her employment due to the domestic
violence incident. Although Anne makes significantly less than her husband, her
independence and employment are highly valued for her economic security. Following
this incident, Anne carefully navigates her relationship with her husband, his relationship
with their children, as well as maintains her housing and employment security. For
women in Jamaica, a mother adopting the roles of both the father and mother are not
uncommon when the father is absent from the household (Stephanie, 2004). For Anne,
family remains a significant value regardless of how she defines her gender; “Jamaican
families continue to be a guiding force in their children’s lives well into adulthood”
(Stephanie, 2004). Anne’s position on her current family situation is that she wishes for
her children to see their father but maintains her safety and the safety of her children.
Additionally, due to the disruption of her role as Peter’s wife, Anne’s brother-in-laws and
her children’s godparents refuse to communicate due to the conflicting relationship with

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her husband. Although Anne is still navigating this change in her marriage and family
structure, the social worker notes, “she was always focused on safeguarding the children
and removing them from the potential for more damage.”
Peter M. is a 37-yr-old male married to the victim, Anne Taylor. During his
vacation to Jamaica with his family, Peter experiences a fit of rage which incites extreme
domestic violence. Peter assaults both of his children and his wife during his rage. Prior
to this incident, Peter had not previously abused his children. Peter’s response to his
wife’s actions while on vacation elucidate the socialized dysfunctional characteristic
theory. This theory asserts that “strain arises because the gender roles that society instills
contain inherently dysfunctional personality characteristics” (Pinel & Barnes, 2017).
Factors such as biological predisposition to aggression and the inhibition of emotional
expression can be contributed to Peter’s domestic violence. Under the socialized
dysfunctional characteristic theory, “the male gender role includes the inhibition of
emotional expression, which is not healthy; similarly, the female gender role includes
dependency, which also may not be adaptive” (Pinel & Barnes, 2017). For Peter, his
definition of his role as a husband and father display values of dominance and loyalty.
This definition is supported by Peter’s role as primary economic provider for his family.
Upon Anne returning to the apartment with another man, Peter feels betrayed and taken
advantage of. In his interview with the social worker, Peter claims, “we went on vacation
and she disrespected me by going on a date with another man…” As the dominant male,
Peter defines the roles of both himself and his wife; He feels that the actions of his wife
warranted his physical response.
In men, “aggression is one social behavior for which there are clear-cut sex
differences, and some of this difference has been attributed to biology” (Pinel & Barnes,

6. FINAL PROJECT 6
2017). Hormonal explanations for male violence have cited testosterone as a catalyst for
aggression; “The most aggressive behavior seems to be linked to a combination of high
testosterone and low cortisol” (Pinel & Barnes, 2017). Biological influences such as
increased testosterone may provide insight to Peter’s domestic violence. Regardless, the
social worker identified that Peter’s maladaptive behaviors required anger management
services so that he may return to his role as protector of his children. As a conservative
gender constructionist, Peter has identified both his role and his wife’s role in their
family based off conservative norms. In countries with increased sexism, such as Brazil,
Columbia, and Chile (neighboring countries to Jamaica), popular attitudes emphasize that
“there is no worse family violence than abortion and divorce” (Graf, 2020). While these
attitudes target abortion and divorce, societal attitudes holding the security of the familial
structure and the obligation of a wife and mother to her family perpetrate increased
violence. Furthermore, sexism inventory scores in Brazil, Guatemala, and Columbia
reflect increased sexism in both the hostile and benevolent sexism categories. According
to a study analyzing sexism and gender inequality in 57 countries, countries located in
South America and neighboring North-American countries, show increased sexism and
sexist legislation (Graf, 2020; Brandt, 2011). With higher scores reflecting increased
sexism, Guatemala displayed a score of 2.32 for men, Brazil displayed a score of 2.36 for
men, and Columbia displayed a score of 2.29 for men (Brandt, 2011). These elevated
sexism scores suggest that the environment in which the violence took place as well as
popular societal attitudes toward gender roles may have perpetrated Peter’s assault.
Without fear of legal action in Jamaica, Peter may have chosen this scenario to act out on
his rage whereas if this incident had occurred on U.S. soil, Peter’s response may have

7. FINAL PROJECT 7
been more reserved. Regardless, Peter’s perspective on his justification of domestic
violence supports these societal attitudes which hold women responsible for conflict.
Thomas is the 6-yr-old son of Anne and Peter who was also a victim of domestic
violence while on vacation in Jamaica. Thomas’ response to this family conflict is best
described by the gender-role socialization theory. This theory states that “different people
and objects in a child’s environment provide rewards and models that shape behavior to
fit gender-role norms” (Pinel & Barnes, 2017). After the assault by his father, Peter
refused to see him and turned up the television when his father was mention. This
avoidance and externalization reflects Thomas’ struggle with family conflict. Thomas
internalizes his emotions but reacts to them through external means, such as turning up
the television. When asked about his father by the social worker, Thomas ran and hid
behind his mother. The inhibition of emotional expression is common in boys who are
socialized to avoid being portrayed as vulnerable (Pinel & Barnes, 2017). Several studies
conducted on the effects of pre-divorce on young boys highlights that “boys are
significantly more likely to exhibit signs of stress and aggression, particularly toward
their parents, and that social relations and work effectiveness are more likely to be caught
in parental conflict and vulnerable to maladjustment” (Brown & Portes, 2006). Through
socialization, boys assume an agentic perspective on their lives and potential conflict.
Boys are socialized to take control of their thoughts, feelings, and actions so that they
may maintain control and avoid vulnerability (Pinel & Barnes, 2017). Through this
agentic approach, boys will exhibit emotional suppression in response to stress of family
conflict, much like the reaction Thomas has of hiding behind his mother. It is likely that
the role that Peter has played as primary provider for his family has influenced Thomas’
own understanding of his gender socialization. Although Thomas is experiencing intense

8. FINAL PROJECT 8
emotions surrounding his parent’s conflict, his refuses to express his experiences
appropriately. Mediations for these situations include encouraging boys to express their
emotions in alternative, healthier ways such as responding to hypothetical questions as
opposed to directly expressing their feelings toward current conflict (Brown & Portes,
2006).
Megan is the 3-yr-old daughter of Anne Taylor and Peter who was also a victim
of domestic violence while on vacation in Jamaica. Peter hit both of his children with his
belt leaving welts and bruises on Megan and Thomas. Megan’s response to this change in
familial structure is best explained through the gender schema theory. This theory
explains the process through which gender roles are acquired rather than the content of
these roles. Dividing the world into masculine and feminine, children begin to
differentiate their gender status by the age of three (Pinel & Barnes, 2017). For Megan,
her father is the primary source of economic stability in her household and most likely
associates working as a masculine concept. According to the gender schema theory, “a
child who lives in a very traditional culture might believe that a woman’s role is in the
caring and raising of children, while a man’s role is in work and industry” (Cherry,
2020). It is through these observations that children form schema related to what men and
women can and cannot do. Following her interview with the social worker, Megan
expressed to her mother that she was anxious to see her father and played with her toys
while calling them “daddy.” This behavior suggests that Megan can express her emotions
both physically and emotionally to her mother. While Megan still exhibits fear toward
her father, the role that her father plays in her life as a provider and protector outweigh
her initial fear. Rather, she is anxious to see her father and associates her toys with him. It
is likely that the toys Megan is calling “daddy” are associated with masculine

9. FINAL PROJECT 9
characteristics; these toys may hold masculine occupations or portray masculine physical
features. Megan’s association of these toys with her father is evidence of her ongoing
gender socialization through the gender schema theory.
In summation, there are a multitude of factors that contribute to gender
socialization including individual, familial, and societal influences. Intersectionality
describes how these multitude of factors can influence gender socialization. Individual
factors of cultural background and biology may influence one’s opinion of their role as a
mother or husband. Likewise, factors attributable to sex may influence gender
socialization through expression of emotion or the internalization vs. externalization of
conflict. Regardless, the influence of gender socialization on domestic violence remains
a prominent concern. The gender roles of the perpetrator vs. victim may reveal further
insight into why the violence occurred and under what circumstances it could transpire.
Therefore, an understanding of the complex nature of gender roles, gender-specific
responses to conflict, and gender inequality leads to preventative measures that can be
taken to protect the safety of victims.

10. FINAL PROJECT 10
References
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Science, 22(11), 1413. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.snhu.edu/10.1177/0956797611420445
Brown, J. H., & Portes, P. R. (2006). Understanding Gender Differences in Children’s
Adjustment to Divorce: Implications for School
Counselors. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ901143.pdf
Cherry, K. (2020, May 10). Gender Schema Theory and Roles in Culture.
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-gender-schema-theory-2795205
Graf, P. (2020, March 20). The Normalization of Conservative Gender Politics in Chile
and the Role of Civil Society. Frontiers in Sociology, (5), 1-17.
https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fsoc.2020.00017
Pinel, J. P., & Barnes, S. J. (2017). Biopsychology (10th ed.). New York, NY: Pearson.
Stephanie, K. (2004). The typical Jamaican family. https://jamaicans.com/typical_family/