Men’s Perception about Domestic Violence in Rural Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigates men’s understanding, beliefs, experiences, and responses about domestic violence; their personal consciousness about gender relations, notions of masculinity and patriarchy; and their views about marriage and domestic violence. Men still subscribe to very patriarchal views about the contexts of marriage, family, and society. These three sets of main findings are analysed together to establish connections and inter-relatedness between them that lead to further findings about their attitudes and responses to domestic violence. This also provides inferences about the acceptance and tolerance of domestic violence amongst Pakistani rural men. Methodologically, this study is based on qualitative (inductive) method by its nature, where N=15 - male respondents who ranged from 18 to 65 years age have been interviewed from rural taluka Khair Pur Nathan Shah Dadu, Rural Sindh, Pakistan, while employing (Non-probability) purposive sampling with phenomenological approach. The perception and notion of men for committing domestic violence is as a part of their socio-culture beliefs. Besides, this also comprises men’s positive behavioural responses to domestic violence inside and outside of family in rural Sindh, which needs to be re-addressed through the social counselling and demands to be highlighted its impacts on society in general and particularly on women.