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This study describes university students' perceptions of the seriousness of family violence in Jordan, including crimes of honor and, within constraints, identifies demographic and attitudinal factors associated with these perceptions. Data were extracted from a comprehensive survey of a stratified random sample of students attending two major universities in Jordan during the spring of 1995. Descriptive statistics demonstrate that well more than half the students view six types of family violence as “very much of a problem.” Results indicate that only the social class variables of father's occupational status and mother's education significantly influence students' perceptions of family violence in the combined sample. Sex differences are found when data from men and women are analyzed separately. Study findings connected with the literature review demonstrate the need for extended research and offer support for Jordanians who are calling for legal and social reforms related to family violence.

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In keeping with the 2011 PSA meeting's theme, “Sociologists as Claims Makers: Turning Theory Into Action,” the presidential address reported research findings (scientific sociology) that were accompanied by a documentary that represented the research results (applied sociology). Guided by a social constructionist perspective, findings from five studies were organized into seven themes to demonstrate the problems domestic violence victims, or protective parents, encounter when their abusers entangle them in contested custody battles. The documentary shown in the presidential address can be viewed in this article by connecting to a link provided. It is noted that the focus of the research and documentary remain at the social issue level—a phenomenon that exists in society, but has not yet been defined as a social problem. It is argued that the problems identified in the research are affecting many thousands of domestic violence victims and their children, yet the issue has received minimal attention in the discipline of sociology.

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