Stories of Resistance

Abstract

This study explores the ways that women are shaped by hearing and telling stories of resistance to violence. By examining the narratives of women discussing stories of resistance, this analysis treats resistance as forms of resilience and empowerment that women knit together to create lives free of abuse. This research suggests that women view themselves as actively working to create violence-free relationships, that women's construction of violence resistant identities often grows from small acts, and that shared stories of resistance serve as powerful resources to help women avoid or leave abusive relationships.

Key Words:

• Resilience
• violence
• relationship violence
• narratives
• empowerment
• safety
• identity formation
• gender
• women
• feminist research
• feminist family therapy