Through Black eyes - African American women's constructions of their experiences with intimate male partner violence

This research explores Black women's experiences with intimate male partner violence through interview data from nine former physically, emotionally, and sexually abused African American wives. It urges a womanist analysis of Black women's abuse experiences and, thus, considers how systems of inequalities, especially gender and race, help foster less-explored constructions Of and reactions to intimate male partner violence. Findings suggest that participants' observations on Black men's social marginalization, educational and economic disparities between Black partners, Black women's role in safeguarding Black men, and gendered scripts on traditions of resistance influenced their perspectives on the causes of and responses to abuse.