Gender, Status, and Domestic Violence, Research Paper Example

Culture & Domestic Violence

One’s culture plays a dominant role in his/her perception of domestic violence. Consequently, there are both men and women who feel that domestic violence is both necessary and normal. Often the culture that one grows up in will continue to be perpetuated and manifested in his/her adult lives. Those traditions, beliefs, and learned behaviors guide daily decisions. Consequently, domestic violence is an aspect of society that is directly linked to culture. There are many cultural considerations to take in account when responding and understanding domestic violence. Many actions of domestic violence are marginalized due to cultural influences. As far back as the 1800s, laws in the United States gave men the legal rights to chastise  their wives using whatever means necessary(Farnsworth, 2005).  Nearly 100 years later in 1895, women were finally given the right to divorce their husbands on the grounds of domestic abuse.

Cultural Teachings

Women in some cultures develop a higher tolerance level for abuse because of social norms. These norms provide a blueprint for acceptable behaviors. In many cases women often justify the abuse they are receiving. For example, within the Latin culture, various cultural aspects discuss and outline gender roles. Familismo conveys the behaviors and roles of the family structure. Within the Latin culture, the family unit is greatly emphasized. This emphasis places great strain on families to remain intact due to a deep sense of loyalty. The sense of loyalty is what confines abused women to remain in difficult situations. Latino women are taught to be “submissive, docile, self-sacrificing, and stoic” (Agoff, & Castro, 2007). Yet, men are taught to they are superior to women and must have the role of power and authority of their female partners. According to Agoff & Castro, “A child should always be to his/her parents, virginity is of great value to the single woman, life is meant to be harder for a woman than for a man, a good wife must always be faithful to her husband, a good wife maintains the traditional structure of dynamics within the family, it is more important to obey and respect your husband than it is to love him, and a woman who dishonors her family should be severely punished”(2007  ). These teaching produce an environment that will continue to perpetuate domestic violence because women are taught and believe that they are inferior to men-who are taught that it is a part of their duty as a man.

Redefining the Female’s Role

In Latino culture, the success of a relationship is the burden of the woman. So, if a relationship fails, the woman naturally blames herself. Even in events of domestic violence, the woman feels the need to endure the relationship so others won’t view her as a failure. Anderson adds,

“Domestic violence against women is an age old phenomenon. Women were always considered weak, vulnerable and in a position to be exploited. Violence has long been accepted as something that happens to women. Cultural mores, religious practices, economic and political conditions may set the precedence for initiating and perpetuating domestic violence, but ultimately committing an act of violence is a choice that the individual makes out of a range of options. Although one cannot underestimate the importance of macro system-level forces (such as cultural and social norms) in the etiology of gender-based violence within any country” (2008).

In order to break the cycle of abuse and domestic violence, cultural norms and stereotypes must be broken. Breaking these norms can only be done through education and support for those who have been indoctrinated with false teachings.

References

Agoff, C., Herrera, C., & Castro, R. (2007). The weakness of family ties and their perpetuating effect on gender violence: A qualitative study in Mexico. Violence against women, 13(11), 1206-1220.

Anderson, K. L. (2008). Gender, status, and domestic violence: An integration of feminist and family violence approaches. Journal of marriage and family, 59(3), 655-669.

Farnsworth, I. S. (2005). Battered women’s process of leaving: Implications for career counseling. Journal of career assessment, 13(4), 452-475.