Feeling Trapped: Social Class and Violence against Women

James Ptacek's research investigates how social class shapes women's experiences of violence and the responses of their communities, highlighting the link between private violence and public responses and social inequalities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 07 February 2023
Publisher: University of California Press

The intricate connection between class and intimate violence against women is often misconstrued and requires a deeper understanding. While numerous studies on intimate violence primarily concentrate on poor and working-class women, there is a scarcity of research that comparatively examines the issue in terms of class privilege and disadvantage. In his insightful work, James Ptacek delves into in-depth interviews with sixty women from diverse backgrounds, including wealthy, professional, working-class, and poor communities. Through these interviews, Ptacek aims to unravel how social class shapes both women's experiences of violence and the responses of their communities to this violence.

Ptacek's framing of women's victimization as social entrapment is particularly compelling. He draws a parallel between private violence and public responses, emphasizing how social inequalities intersect with the dilemmas women face. By highlighting the ways in which social class exacerbates the risks and consequences of violence, Ptacek sheds light on the urgent need for systemic change.

This research underscores the importance of recognizing the intersectionality of various forms of oppression and addressing the systemic inequalities that contribute to intimate violence. It challenges the notion that class is solely a personal or economic matter and emphasizes the broader societal implications of social class disparities. By examining how social class shapes women's experiences of violence and the responses of their communities, Ptacek's work contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of this complex issue and provides valuable insights for policymakers, activists, and individuals seeking to promote gender equality and prevent violence against women.

Weight: 363g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520381612