Choice within Entrapment and Entrapment within Choice: The Challenge Facing Battered Women who Stay

Abstract

In the present study, the authors explore the differential meaning of choice among battered women who stay in violent relationships and challenge the either/or paradigm that equates leaving with choice and staying with entrapment. A theoretical sample of 25 interviews was selected from a database of 120 in-depth, qualitative interviews with cohabitant couples who remained together despite violence. Sampling and data analysis followed the principles of grounded theory. Findings are organized around 2 conceptual categories: choosing to stay and being prevented from leaving. Each of the categories is examined in relation to both temporal and spatial dimensions. This conceptual framework implies that choices may be constructed by battered women.