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Focusing exclusively on the explanation of violence, this anthology examines why violent conduct occurs--whether or not it is defined as a crime. It reflects a distinctive perspective on the social construction of violence as normative conduct, deeply rooted in the cultural traditions of society, and supported by specific legal traditions that are difficult to change. The book also explores the structural origins of social violence, such as the role patriarchal social institutions play in explaining gender violence. A six-part organization contains articles by well-known scholars on the social construction of anger, social inequality and the production of violence, culture: violence and values, family violence, sexual violence, and criminal violence. For individuals seeking to understand the social causes of violence, and working to reduce the level of violence in families, gender relations, and a wide variety of social contexts in which violence appears to be an all too frequent occurrence.