COLLEGE-WOMEN WHO INITIATE ASSAULTS ON THEIR MALE PARTNERS AND THE REASONS OFFERED FOR SUCH BEHAVIOR

Studies of spousal and dating violence indicate that women ate as like ly as men to assault their partners physically. This investigation exa mined the issue of the initiation of physical assaults by women on the ir male partners and the reasons offered for such behavior. Responses from 978 female college women indicate that, within a 5-yr. period, 29 % (n=285) admitted to physical aggression against their male partners. Younger women in their 20's were significantly more likely to aggress physically than women who were 30 yr. and above. Women stared that th ey expressed aggression toward their male partners in part because the y wished to engage their partner's attention, particularly emotionally . Also, assaultive women did not believe that their male victims would be seriously injured or would retaliate.