“Attitudes Towards Intimate Partner Violence Among Seventh-day Adventists: An Interplay of Sex and Religion” – Julia Pickett
Date: March 7, 2009
Speaker: Julia Pickett (followed by discussion with a panel of four experts)
Position: Indiana University student; former Andrews University Honors student
Topic: “Attitudes Towards Intimate Partner Violence Among Seventh-day Adventists: An Interplay of Sex and Religion” (her AU Honors Project a few years ago)
Venue: Biology Amphitheater
Attendance: 48
Presentation: A survey of 550 practicing SDAs in Berrien County focused on spouse abuse . Statistics demonstrate significant relationships between gender & attitudes toward domestic partner violence. Pickett discussed the negative aspects of guilt, blame, denial, & spiritualizing this problem versus positive approaches like intervention (usually by clergy), seeking shelter, & recovery. Results show that males (more than females) & conservatives (more than liberals) blame women & urge them to submit. Pickett & panel of four recommended pastoral training, local conference seminars, marriage enrichment programs, Sabbath school discussions, & pre-marriage counseling as solutions.
Michiana Adventist Forum 