EXCUSAS, JUSTIFICACIONES Y EXPERIENCIAS. LOS ESTRESORES EN LAS NARRATIVAS DE VARONES QUE EJERCIERON VIOLENCIA DE GÉNERO

Drawing upon narrative criminology and Neutralization Theory, this paper analyzed the stressors referred by men who physically assaulted (lethal and non-lethal) their female partners or ex-partners and the justifications/excuses they use to explain and legitimize their violent behavior. From a qualitativehermeneutical approach, a corpus of 34 interviews from independent projects in Argentina, Spain and Venezuela was analyzed. Five domains of stress used to rationalize violence were identified: (1) the intimate relationship, (2) work, (3) disruptive social and economic events, (4) drug and alcohol use, and (5) loss of vital meaning and confluence of stressors. This study suggests a reinterpretation of the Strain Theory, stating that stressors are more relevant if the actors’ interpretations are considered. In this sense, extending the use of the narrative approach to study the link between masculinity, strain and violence is suggested.