Although spouse abuse is a common occurrence it rarely results in prosecution; among the reasons for the low prosecution rate is the disproportionate degree of power in the marital relationship. To look at instances of spouse abuse in black and white families, and to examine the distribution of decision making influence in these homes, 366 undergraduate students completed two questionnaires assessing spouse abuse and the distribution of marital power. Of the 366 volunteers 129 were males, 237 were females; 318 were white, 45 were black or other; 189 were from lower status homes, 197 were from middle class status homes. Results of statistical analyses showed that 33 percent of the students reported some instances of parental spouse abuse during a typical year while they were growing up. Perception of family power was significantly influenced by students' sex, race, and socioeconomic status. Overall, the results showed equally wide ranges of spouse abuse and social status, with differences in violence not explained by race or social status. (WAS)