The impact of welfare reform on men's violence against women

Welfare reform is likely to have a profound effect on the lives of poor wom en who are being abused. This article proposes exchange theory and the femi nist "backlash hypothesis" as frameworks with which to assess the impact of welfare reform on violence levels in abusive relationships. Exchange theor y suggests that ifa woman leaves welfare and obtains employment that increa ses her economic resources, violence against her will decrease. The backlas h hypothesis makes a different prediction. Violence will increase as men at tempt to compensate for women's enhanced statics or independence, Both appr oaches are examined in light of current data, As demonstrated here, the inc orporation into social policy analyses of feminist thinking about dominance and power will enrich our understanding of the impact of social policy cha nges on people.