Margaret A. Hagen

In the following viewpoint, Margaret A. Hagen argues that therapy programs for male batterers do not prevent men from continuing to abuse women. Many programs for batterers are based on feminist theories that try to change men’s attitudes toward power, control, and dominance, she asserts. However, Hagen contends, a program is said to be successful based solely on the batterer’s word that he has changed. Furthermore, she adds, studies of these therapy programs have found that a significant number of abusers continued to be violent against their partners. Hagen is a professor of psychology at Boston University.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Hagen, what percentage of men arrested on charges of domestic violence in 1997 were ordered into counseling"
2. How has...