The research project is a qualitative exploratory study that uncovers the meaning of marriage and domestic violence among immigrant Mexican women residing in a southwestern city. One of the goals of the research project is to develop hypotheses that can be tested in future domestic violence studies within this specific population. The original method of grounded theory known as the "Glaserian Approach" was implemented throughout the project. A theoretical framework of symbolic interactionism was used as the method to construct and interpret meaning of the participant's situation. Nine in-depth phenomenological interviews were conducted with immigrant Mexican women who were 18 years or older and identified as having experienced domestic violence in the past or present. Data analysis occurred within a five-month period. The core category that emerged in the data was the "meaning of marriage." Subcategories that emerged were: (1) external forces (who told the women about marriage); (2) the effects of childhood trauma; (3) domestic violence enters the relationship; (4) women's sense of self (how they feel about themselves in the relationship); (5) trying to keep the family together; and, (6) the desire of a woman's heart. A prevention model for domestic violence emerged after data analysis was completed.