Abstract
Latinos are the largest minority group in the USA. Approximately 20 % of this diverse and growing population identify as Protestant. It is critical that helping professionals understand and address men’s violence against women in this community. Our chapter examines the ways in which Latino Protestants’ personal, religious, and cultural identities can either foster or discourage interpersonal violence. We investigate the role religion and spirituality can play in supporting men’s violence against women and contrast this with the ways in which religion and spirituality can be used to support victims of abuse. We conclude with religious resources to address violence against women as well as implications for practice and future research.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Quotes from Lozano (2007) used by permission of Wipf and Stock Publishers, www.wipfandstock.com.
- 2.
Quotes from Lozano (2007) used by permission of Wipf and Stock Publishers, www.wipfandstock.com.
- 3.
Quotes from Lozano (2007) used by permission of Wipf and Stock Publishers, www.wipfandstock.com.
References
Acevedo, M. J. (2000). Battered immigrant Mexican women’s perspectives regarding abuse and help-seeking. Journal of Multicultural Social Work, 8(3/4), 243–282. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J285v08n03_04
Adames, S.B., & Campbell, R. (2005). Immigrant Latinas’ conceptualizations of intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women, 11, 1341–1364. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077801205280191
Afable-Munsuz, A., & Brindis, C. D. (2006). Acculturation and the sexual and reproductive health of Latino youth in the United States: A literature review. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 38(4), 208–219. http://dx.doi.org/10.1363/3820806
Aguilar-Hass, G., Dutton, M. A., & Orloff, L.E. (2000). Lifetime prevalence of violence against Latina immigrants: legal and policy implications. International Review of Victimology, 7, 93–113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/026975800000700306
Ahrens, C. E., Isas, L., Rios-Mandel, L.C., & Lopez, M.C. (2010). Talking about interpersonal violence: Cultural influences on Latinas’ identification and disclosure of sexual assault and intimate partner violence. Psychological Trauma: Theory. Research, Practice, and Policy, 2(4), 284–295. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0018605
Ames, N., Hancock, T. U., & Behnke, A. O. (2008). [Preventing and reducing domestic violence in the Latino community: The role of lay ministers]. Unpublished raw data.
Ames, N., Hancock, T.U., & Behnke, A.O. (2011). Latino church leaders and domestic violence: Attitudes and knowledge. Families in Society, 92(2), 161–167. http://dx.doi.org/10.1606/1044-3894.4093
Baca Zinn, M., & Wells, B. (2000) Diversity within Latino Families: New lessons for family social science. In D. H. Demo, K. R. Allen, & M. A. Fine (Eds.), Handbook of family diversity (pp. 252–273). New York, NY: OxfordUniversity Press.
Bacigalupe, G. (2000). El Latino: Trangressing the macho. In M. T. Flores & G. Carey (Eds.), Family therapy with Hispanics (pp. 29–57). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Behnke, A.O., Ames, N., & Hancock, T. (2012). What would they do? Latino church leaders and domestic violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27(7), 1259–1275. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886260511425246
Bent-Goodley, T., & Fowler, D. N. (2006). Spiritual and religious abuse: Expanding what is known about domestic violence. Journal of Women and Social Work, 2, 282–295. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886109906288901
Bonomi, A. E., Anderson, M. L., Cannon, E. A., Slesnick, N., & Rodriguez, M. (2009). Intimate partner violence in Latina and non-Latina women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 36(1), 43–48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2008.09.027
Bourdeau, B., Volker, K. T., & Long, J. K. (2008). Latino sexual styles: Developing a nuanced understanding of risk. Journal of Sex Research, 45(1), 71–81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224490701845185
Brabeck, K. M., & Guzman, M. R. (2008). Frequency and perceived effectiveness of strategies to survive abuse employed by battered Mexican-origin women. Violence Against Women, 14(11), 1274–1294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077801208325087
Brown, J.C., & Parker, R. (1989). For God so loved the world? In J.C. Brown & C.R Bohn (Eds.), Christianity, patriarchy, and abuse (pp. 1–30). New York: The Pilgrim Press.
Carlson, B. E. (2003). Violence against women: Synthesis of research for service providers. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice, U. S. Department of Justice. Retrieved from: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/199578.pdf. Accessed 11 Feb 2012
Cooper-White, P. (2011). Intimate violence against women: Trajectories for pastoral care in a new millennium. Pastoral Psychology, 60, 809–855. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11089-011-0354–7
Cuevas, C.A., Sabina, C., & Milloshi, R. (2012). Interpersonal victimization among a national sample of Latino women. Violence Against Women, 18(4), 377–403. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077801212452413
Cunradi, C. B., Caetano, R., & Schafer, J. (2002). Socioeconomic predictors of intimate partner violence among White, Black, and Hispanic couples in the United States. Journal of Family Violence, 17, 377–338. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1020374617328
Diamant, J. (2007). Latinos moving away from Catholicism. Christian Century, 124(2), 12.
Dobash, R.E., & Dobash, R.P. (1979). Violence against wives: A case against the patriarchy. New York: Free Press.
Drumm, R., McBride, D., Hopkins, G., Thayer, J., Popescu, M., & Wrenn, J. (2006). Intimate partner violence in a conservative Christian denomination: Prevalence and types. Social Work and Christianity, 33(3), 233–251.
Duffey, T. H. (2000). The Hispanic couple in therapy. In M. T. Flores & G. Carey (Eds.), Family therapy with Hispanics (pp. 167–183). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Edelson, M. G., Hokoda, A., & Ramos-Lira, L. (2007). Differences in effects of domestic violence between Latina and non-Latina women. Journal of Family Violence, 22, 1–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10896-006-9051–1
Edwards, L. M., Fehring, R. J., Jarrett, K. M., & Haglund, K. A. (2008). The influence of religiosity, gender, and language preference acculturation on sexual activity among Latino/a adolescents. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 30, 447–462. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0739986308322912
Ellison, C. G., Bartkowski, J. P., & Anderson, K. L. (1999). Are there religious variations in domestic violence? Journal of Family Issues, 20, 87–113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/019251399020001005
Ellison, C. G., Trinitapoli, J. A., Anderson, K. L., & Johnson, B. R. (2007). Race/ethnicity, religious involvement, and domestic violence. Violence Against Women, 13, 1094–1112. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077801207308259
Ellison, C. G., Burdette, A. M., & Wilcox, W. B. (2010). The couple that prays together: Race and ethnicity, religion, and relationship quality among working-age adults. Journal of Marriage and Family, 72, 963–975. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1741–3737.2010.00742.x
Faulkner, S. L., & Mansfield, P. K. (2002). Reconciling messages: The process of sexual talk for Latinos. Qualitative Health Research, 12, 310–328. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/104973202129119919
Fleming, S. R. (1996). Competent Christian intervention with men who batter. In C. C. Kroeger & J. R. Beck (Eds.), Women, abuse, and the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Fong, R., & Furuto, S. (Eds). (2001). Culturally competent social work practice: Skills, interventions and evaluation. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Flores-Ortiz, Y. G. (2000). Injustice in Latino families: Considerations for family therapists. In M. T. Flores & G. Carey (Eds.), Family therapy with Hispanics (pp. 251–263). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Frederick, K. E. (2004). Clinging to the threshold of hope. Journal of Religion and Abuse, 6(1), 5–13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J154v06n01_02
Gillett, S. (1996). No church to call home. In C. C. Kroeger & J. R. Beck (Eds.), Women, abuse, and the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Gonzalez-Lopez, G. (2004). Fathering Latina sexualities: Mexican men and the virginity of their daughters. Journal of Marriage and Family, 66, 1118–1130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0022–2445.2004.00082.x
Gorton, J., & Van Hightower. N. (1999). Intimate victimization of Latina farmworkers: A research summary. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 21, 502–507. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0739986399214008
Guarnaccia, P. J., Pincay, I. M., Alegría, M., Shrout, P. E., Lewis-Fernández, R., & Canino, G. J. (2007). Assessing diversity among Latinos: Results from the NLAAS. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 29(4), 510–534. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0739986307308110
Hancock, T.U., & Ames, N. (2008). Toward a model for engaging Latino lay ministers in domestic violence intervention. Families in Society, 89(4), 623–630.
Hancock, T. U., & Siu, K. (2009). A culturally sensitive intervention with domestically violent Latino immigrant men. Journal of Family Violence, 24, 123–132. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10896-008-9217–0
Hancock, T. U., Ames, N., & Behnke, A. O. (In press). Protecting rural church-going immigrant women from family violence. Journal of Family Violence.
Harris, R. J., Firestone, J. M., & Vega, W. A. (2005). The interaction of country of origin, acculturation, and gender role ideology on wife abuse. Social Science Quarterly, 86(2), 463–483. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.0038–4941.2005.00313.x
Hazen, A. L., & Soriano, F. I. (2007). Experiences with intimate partner violence among Latina women. Violence Against Women, 13, 562–582. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077801207301558
Heggen, C. H. (1996). Religious beliefs and abuse: How scripture can be used to hurt or heal. In C. C. Kroeger & J. R. Beck (Eds.), Women, abuse, and the Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Holloway, R. E. (2006). Evidence for a simpatico self-schema in studies comparing Hispanics and Whites. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from: https://dspace.uta.edu/bitstream/handle/10106/486/umi-uta-1461.pdf?sequence=1
Immigration Policy Center, American Immigration Council. (2012). Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Provides Protections for Immigrant Women and Victims of Crime. Retrieved March 20, 2012 from: http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/just-facts/violence-against-women-act-vawa-provides-protections-immigrant-women-and-victims-crime
Ingram, E. M. (2007). A comparison of help seeking between Latino and non-Latino victims of intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women, 13(2), 159–171. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077801206296981
Jones, A. S., Fowler, T. S., Farmer, D. F., Anderson, R. T., & Richmond, D. W. (2005). Description and evaluation of a faith community-based domestic violence pilot program in Forsyth county, NC. Journal of Religion & Abuse, 7(4), 55–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J154v07n04_05
Kasturirangan, A., & Williams, A. M. (2003). Counseling Latina battered women: A qualitative study of the Latina perspective. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 31(3), 162–178. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/j.2161–1912.2003.tb00541.x
Kaufman Kantor, G., & J. Jasinski, J. (2002) Risk marker analysis of wife assault in Latino families. Violence Against Women, 8 (4) 429–454.
Klevens, J., Shelley, G., Clavel-Arcas, C., Barney, D. D., Tobar, C.,…, & Esparza, J. (2007). Latinos’ perspectives and experiences with intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women, 13(2), 141–158. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1077801206296980
Knickmeyer, N., Levitt, H. M., Horne, S. G., & Bayer G. (2010). Putting on Sunday’s best: The silencing of battered women within Christian faith communities. Feminism and Psychology, 20, 94–113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0959353509347470
Kugel, C., Retzlaff, C., Hopfer, S., Lawson, D.M., Daley, E.,…, & Freedman, S. (2009). Families con Voz: Community survey results from an Intimate Partner Prevention Project with migrant workers. Journal of Family Violence, 24, 649–660. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10896-009-9263–2
Low, G., & Organista, K. C. (2000). Latinas and sexual assault: Towards culturally sensitive assessment and intervention. In D. De Anda, Violence: Diverse populations and communities (pp. 131–157). Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press.
Lozano, N. (2007). Faithful in the struggle: A historical perspective on Hispanic Protestant women in the United States. In J. F. Martínez, & L. Scott (Eds.). Los Evangelicos: Portraits of Latino Protestantism in the United States (pp. 118–138). Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock.
Marrs-Fuchsel, C. L., Murphy, S. B., & Dufresne, R. (2012). Domestic violence, culture, and relationship dynamics among immigrant Mexican women. Affilia, 27(3), 263–274. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886109912452403
Martinez, J. F. (2007). Introduction: Portraits of Latino Protestantism in the United States. In J. F. Martínez, & L. Scott (Eds.). Los Evangelicos: Portraits of Latino Protestantism in the United States (pp. xix-xxiii). Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock.
Martinez, A. E. (2011a). U.S. Hispanic/Latino biblical interpretation: A critique from within. Theology Today, 68, 134–148. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0040573611405881
Martínez, J. F. (2011b). Los Protestantes: An introduction to Latino Protestantism in the United States [ebook]. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Martínez, J. F., & Scott, L. (2009). Introduction. In J.F. Martinez & L. Scott (Eds.). Los Evangelicos: Portraits of Latino Protestantism in the United States, (pp. xix-xxiii). Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock.
Martinez, S., Torres, V., White, L. W., Medrano, C. I., Robledo, A. L., & Hernandez, E. (2012). The influence of family dynamics on ethnic identity among adult Latinas. Journal of Adult Development, 19(4), 190–200. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10804-012-9146–2
Morash, M., Bui, H. N., & Santiago. A. M. (2000). Cultural-specific gender ideology and wife abuse in Mexican-descent families. International Review of Victimology, 7(1–3), 67–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/026975800000700305
Nason-Clark, N. (1997). The battered wife: How Christians confront family violence. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
Nason-Clark, N. (2004). When terror strikes at home: The interface between religion and domestic violence. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 43, 303–310. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468–5906.2004.00236.x
Office of Management and Budget (OMB). (1997). Directive 15: Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal Data on Race and Ethnicity. Retrieved 1-10-13 from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg_1997standards/
Perilla, J. L. (1999). Domestic violence as a human rights issue: The case of immigrant Latinos. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 21(2), 107–133. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0739986399212001
Perilla, J. L., & Perez, F. (2002). A program for immigrant Latino men who batter within the context of a comprehensive family intervention. In E. Aldarondo & F. Mederos (Eds.), Working with men who batter: Intervention and prevention strategies for a diverse society. New York, NY: Civic Research Institute.
Perilla, J.L., Bakeman, R., & Norris, F. (1994). Culture and domestic violence: The ecology of abused Latinas. Violence and Victims, 9(4), 125–140.
Perilla, J. L., Serrata, J. V., Weinberg, J., & Lippy, C. A. (2012). Integrating women’s voices and theory: A comprehensive domestic violence intervention for Latinas. Women & Therapy, 35(1–2), 93–105. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02703149.2012.634731
Pew Hispanic Center. (2007). 2 0 07NationalsurveyofL a tinos:Asillegalimmigr a tionissueheatsup, Hispanicsfeela c hill. Washington, DC, December2007. Retrieved 1-14-13 from: http://www.pewhispanic.org/files/reports/84.pdf
Pew Research Center. (2007). Changing faiths: Latinos and the transformation of American religion. Washington, DC. Retrieved 1-14-13 from: http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedfiles/Topics/Demographics/hispanics-religion-07-final-mar08.pdf
Pyles, L. (2007). The complexities of the religious response to domestic violence: Implications for faith-based initiatives. Affilia, 22(3), 281–291. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886109907302271
Qian, Z., & Cobas, J. A. (2004). Latinos’ mate selection: national origin, racial, and nativity differences. Social Science Research, 33(2), 225–247. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0049-089×(03)00055–3
Raffaelli, M., & Ontai, L. L. (2004). Gender socialization in Latino/a families: Results from two retrospective studies. Sex Roles, 50(5/6), 287–299. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:SERS.0000018886.58945.06
Ramos, B., Carlson, B., & Kulkarni, S. (2010). Culturally competent practice with Latinas. In L. L. Lockhart & F. S. Danis (Eds.), Domestic violence mosaic: Culturally competent practice with diverse populations. New York: ColumbiaUniversity Press.
Rotunda, R., Williamson, G., & Penfold, M. (2004). Clergy response to domestic violence: A preliminary survey of clergy members, victims, and batterers. Pastoral Psychology, 52, 353–365. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:PASP.0000016939.21284.a3
Sabina, C., Cuevas, C. A., & Schally, J. L. (2012). Help-seeking in a national sample of victimized Latino women: The influence of victimization types. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27, 40–61. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0886260511416460
Shannon-Lewy, C., & Dull, V. T. (2005). The response of Christian clergy to domestic violence: Help or hindrance? Aggression and Violent Behavior, 10, 647–659. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2005.02.004
Sorenson, S. (1996). Violence against women: Examining ethnic differences and commonalities. Evaluation Review, 20(2), 123–145. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0193841×9602000201
Tammelleo, S. (2011). Continuity and change in Hispanic identity. Ethnicities, 11, 536–554. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1468796811419058
Urrabazo, R. (2000). Therapeutic sensitivity to the Latino spiritual soul. In M. T. Flores & G. Carey (Eds.), Family therapy with Hispanics (pp. 205–227). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
U.S. Census Bureau. (May, 2011). The Hispanic population 2010. Retrieved 1-11-13 from: http://www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-04.pdf
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (n.d.) Immigration options for victims of crimes: Violence Against Women Act ( VAWA). Retrieved 3-15-13 from: http://www.dhs.gov/immigration-options-victims-crimes
Vidales, G.T. (2010). Arrested justice: The multifaceted plight of immigrant Latinas who faced domestic violence. Journal of Family Violence, 25, 535–544. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10896-010-9309-5
Ware, K. N., Levitt, H. M., & Bayer G. (2004) May God help you: Faith leaders’ perspectives of intimate partner violence within their communities. Journal of Religion and Abuse, 5, 29–54. http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J154v05n02_04
Welland, C., & Ribner, N. (2008). Healing from violence: Latino men’s journey to a new masculinity. New York, NY: Springer.
Wolfinger, N. H., Wilcox, W. B., & Hernandez, E. I. (2009–2010). Bendito amor (‘blessed love’): Religion and relationships among married and unmarried Latinos in urban America. Journal of Latino-Latin American Studies, 3, 171–188.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Ames, N., Ware, L. (2015). Latino Protestants: Religion, Culture, and Violence Against Women. In: Johnson, A. (eds) Religion and Men's Violence Against Women. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2266-6_9
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2266-6_9
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2265-9
Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2266-6
eBook Packages: Behavioral ScienceBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)