Making sense of the unbelievable : a biographical narrative study of men's stories of female abuse

Corbally, MA

Abstract

Intimate partner abuse is a serious social issue. The professional practice of education
has a mandate to foster competent health and social care practitioners (biographical
caretakers) to appropriately care for others. Presently, there is a lack of understanding
about how men account for their experiences of female abuse. This is because of
prevailing discourses which render men's vulnerability as 'unbelievable'. This study
examined how men in Ireland accounted for their experiences of abuse in their life
stories. Using the ten stages of analysis in 'classic' Biographical Narrative Interpretive
Method, three cases are presented which were analysed from a social constructionist
perspective.
The study found that men account for their abuse experiences uniquely. They construct
abuse as both an individual and collective endeavour. Dominant conflicting discourses of
masculinity and intimate partner abuse disadvantaged both men and their biographical
caretakers firstly in identifying abuse and secondly in responding appropriately. Although
men use abuse narratives in accounting for their experience, they are more comfortable
using dominant narratives of fatherhood and being a husband in constructing the abuse
experience. The biographical work of reflection was found to be instrumental in
recognising abuse as serious and appeared to speed recovery in the reconstruction of self.
These cases illustrate the inadequacy of current abuse definitions and policy which whilst
it is changing, remains engendered. Greater sensitivity of biographical caretakers to the
biographical process structures and their influence on how individuals present themselves
is recommended as a goal for educators. Similarly, use of dominant discourses in talking about abuse with men and promoting the process of safe biographical reflection for those experiencing intimate partner abuses is recommended as helpful practices to recognise and respond to the problem of abuse. This study proves useful in illuminating men's realities through a novel methodology. It is hoped mat the findings of the study prompt further exploration into this under researched area.

Citation

Corbally, M. Making sense of the unbelievable : a biographical narrative study of men's stories of female abuse. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2011