The purpose of this study was to examine reports of wife battery by 81 male
and 138 female Xhosa-speaking undergraduates in Transkei, South Africa amo
ng neighbours and relatives. Only 32 of 219 subjects admitted having witnes
sed such behaviour by their parents; 43 indicated that they approved wife b
attery; and 94 did not consider it a matter to be brought to the attention
of police. For 136 it was not a sufficient reason for seeking divorce.