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The Normalization of Violence in Heterosexual Romantic Relationships: Women's Narratives of Love and Violence

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, jwood1{at}email.unc.edu

Inductive analysis of in-depth interviews with 20 heterosexual women who had been in violent romantic relationships illuminated women's use of gender and romance narratives to make sense of violent relationships. All participants placed themselves within western culture's primary gender narrative, which prescribes and normalizes dominance and superiority for men and deference and dependence for women. Participants also relied on romance narratives - which entailed both fairy tale and dark versions - to make sense of violence in their relationships. Interrelated beliefs that emerged in the women's talk functioned to legitimize both fairy tale and dark romance narratives. This study highlights the urgency of weaving alternative gender and romance narratives into the structures and practices of the culture.

Key Words: abuse • gender • narratives • violent relationships

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