Critical Race Theory, Parenting, and Intimate Partner Violence: Analyzing Race and Gender

Purpose: This study sought to investigate similarities and differences among race, gender, parenting attitudes, and conflict negotiation tactics of perpetrators of intimate partner violence in a batterer intervention program. Method: This research utilized a nonequivalent, control group secondary analysis of 238 women and men. Results: Logistic regression indicated (1) an increased likelihood for scoring higher on the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS-2) physical assault subscale and Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory-2 (AAPI-2) high-risk parenting group for those in the African American category compared to the White category; (2) African American women are more likely to be unemployed, score higher on the CTS-2 Physical Assault subscale, and in the high-risk AAPI-2 parenting group than African American men; and (3) White women are more likely to experience injury and score in the high-risk AAPI-2 group compared to White men. Conclusions: Critical race theory provides a necessary understanding of these findings within structural inequality in the United States. Further results and implications are discussed.