This work employs survey data to examine the specific social conditions that influence tolerance for the use of force against wives. The findings indicate that respondents have a very negative view of such force in all contexts but one: A husband\u27s use of force is viewed as appropriate behavior when the wife\u27s precipitating behavior poses a threat to the family. These results are contrasted with earlier work on parental force which documented a certain ambivalence regarding parents hitting children. The paper concludes by arguing that a distinction between perceptual and behavioral tolerance must be made in order to further advance the study of tolerance. The implications for relevant social policy are discussed
