From Freud to Feminism: Gendered Constructions of Blame Across Theories of Child Sexual Abuse. Issue 3 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Azzopardi, Corry; Alaggia, Ramona; Fallon, Barbara
• Is Part Of: Journal of child sexual abuse. Volume 27:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 254
• Page End: 275
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: child sexual abuse -- theoretical issues -- gender issues -- nonoffending mothers -- mother-blame discourse -- feminism; Child sexual abuse -- Periodicals; Child sexual abuse -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Child molesters -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Sexually abused children -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Child Abuse, Sexual -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2017.1390717
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1053-8712

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Most theories of child sexual abuse are, to some degree, gendered, with nonoffending mothers bearing the burden of blame, ideologically and legally, for the transgressions of predominantly male offenders. This article explores the social construction of blame for child sexual abuse via critical analyses of evolving theoretical perspectives on maternal culpability for the inception and maintenance of abuse dynamics. Drawing on selected conceptual and research knowledge that supports and refutes anecdotal claims, this synthesis of the literature culminates in the proposal of an evidence-informed, feminist-grounded, multitheoretical child sexual abuse framework that disrupts dominant mother-blaming discourse and guides socially just and ethically responsive policy, practice, and research.