Acceptance Of Domestic Violence Research Articles

Natural Disasters and Acceptance of Domestic Violence

Natural disasters cause economic losses and are expected to become more frequent due to climate change. While economic consequences of natural disasters have been well-documented by research, their intangible effects have received less attention. This article studies the effect of natural disasters on attitudes toward domestic violence. The study estimates the impact of the 2006 Yogyakarta earthquake in Indonesia on acceptance of wife beating using a difference-in-differences approach. Overall, findings show that the earthquake did not have a statistically significant effect on acceptance of domestic violence despite having a sizable impact on household assets and employment. This null effect masks heterogeneous effects between rural and urban residents: rural women’s acceptance of domestic violence was reduced in the medium and long run, and urban men’s acceptance decreased in the short run, but the decrease did not persist over time. The results are not driven by pre-existing differential trends or compositional changes. HIGHLIGHTS Natural disasters shape gender norms and impact attitudes toward domestic violence. In the case of the 2006 destructive earthquake in Indonesia, overall, women’s and men’s acceptance of wife beating was not affected. The earthquake reduced rural women’s tolerance for domestic violence in the medium and long run.

Attitudes towards wife-beating justification and its association with female genital mutilation - analysis of ever-married Somali women in the 2020 Somali Health and Demographic Survey.

In Somalia, despite its prohibition, female circumcision persists alongside significant intimate partner violence. This study examines the prevalence of wife-beating justification among Somali women and its link to the perception that female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is a religious obligation. We studied 7726 married Somali women 15-49y of age from the 2020 Somali Health and Demographic Survey. Using χ2 tests and logistic regression, we examined wife-beating justification by covariates and its connection to the perception that FGM/C is a religious obligation. The prevalence of women justifying wife-beating for any of six reasons was 56.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 55.3 to 57.6). A higher prevalence of wife-beating justification was found among women 35-49y of age (59.9% [95% CI 57.8 to 61.9]), without education (57.7% [95% CI 56.5 to 59.0]), rural residents (57.8% [95% CI 56.3 to 59.2]), with lower socio-economic status (60.4% [95% CI 58.7 to 62.1]) and married before age 18y (58.4% [95% CI 56.7 to 60.1]). Adjusted for covariates, logistic regression analyses indicated a significant association between wife-beating justification and the belief that FGM/C is mandated by religion (adjusted odds ratio 1.40 [95% CI 1.17 to 1.68], p<0.001). Wife-beating justification is alarmingly common among Somali women and significantly associated with the belief that FGM/C is mandated by religion. Further research is necessary to investigate the drivers behind the acceptance of domestic violence, its impact on women's mental health and well-being and its association with FGM/C acceptance.

Violence and Child Mental Health Outcomes in Iraq: Mapping Vulnerable Areas

Few studies have been conducted in Iraq regarding the association of violence at multiple ecological levels and child mental health outcomes. Therefore, the study objectives were (1) to conduct a nationwide analysis to explore violence at multiple socio-ecological levels and children’s mental health outcomes, and (2) to identify the most vulnerable children according to the spatial distribution of Iraqi governorates. This cross-sectional study used the 2018 Iraq Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 6), which included 12,358 mothers or caretakers who provided complete information regarding their parenting and disciplinary practices for their children between the ages of 5 and 14. Logistic regression was employed to examine the factors associated with children’s depression and anxiety. This study showed that 22% of children had depression, while 38% experienced anxiety. Notably, children residing in Iraq’s south/central regions, specifically in areas, like Nainawa, Najaf, and Basrah, exhibited notably higher anxiety and depression. The research also showed that living in unsafe neighborhoods, women’s acceptance of domestic violence, and the use of severe physical punishment as corporal discipline were all associated with the development of anxiety and depression. This study addresses the scarcity of information on children’s mental health outcomes in Iraq at national and governorate levels, emphasizing the need for urgent national-level policy discussions to achieve key Sustainable Development Goals related to ending all forms of violence against children by 2030.

Exploring fertility preferences among women aged 15-24 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The DRC has one of the highest fertility rates globally, yet research on fertility preferences in the country remains limited. This study aims to identify the factors contributing to the persistence of high fertility preferences among young and adolescent women (15-24) in the DRC. Using data from the 2013-2014 DHS, the study examines fertility preferences by transition stage. Multinomial logistic regression analysis is used to identify the characteristics associated with mid- (4-5 children) and pre-transitional (6+ children) as opposed to post-transitional (0-3 children) preferences. Results reveal that 43% of the women prefer 6+ children. The relative risk of fertility preference varies significantly based on characteristics such as age, literacy, place and province of residence, religion, employment status, wealth, acceptance of domestic violence, and knowledge of modern family planning methods. The findings provide evidence for both the diffusion and socio-economic theory of fertility decline.

Long-Term Effects of an Education Stipend Program on Domestic Violence: Evidence from Bangladesh

Abstract Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a widespread global phenomenon. Among various factors, a low level of education is considered a significant risk factor for experiencing IPV. This paper evaluates whether a secondary school stipend program introduced in 1994 for rural girls affected the long-term prevalence of IPV in Bangladesh. The study exploits two sources of variation in the intensity of program exposure and geographic eligibility and finds that cohorts of rural women eligible for the program experienced significant declines in IPV. Evidence on mechanisms suggests that the program delayed marriage formation and changed partner quality, namely their education and employment, consistent with positive assortative matching resulting from women's improved educational attainment. There are no significant changes in labor market outcomes, decision making within the household, or women's attitude toward the acceptability of domestic violence. Marital matches present a plausible channel through which the program reduces the risk of IPV.

Mining and women’s agency: Evidence on acceptance of domestic violence and shared decision-making in India

We study the impact of proximity to mineral deposits and active mines on women’s agency in India. Identification leverages the plausibly exogenous spatial variation in the occurrence of mineral deposits and mineral types across districts. Results indicate that women’s outcomes improve near mines: women have less tolerance of physical violence and they report fewer barriers to accessing healthcare. Concomitantly, men’s likelihood of making decisions jointly with spouses increases, and men are less likely to justify domestic violence. These benefits are larger near mines that employ relatively high shares of women. The key mechanism is the sharing of mining royalties with local groups to support investments in vulnerable populations, which contributes to better economic conditions for women. Findings imply that mineral mining can bring measurable benefits to women’s agency, especially when profits are invested in improving the welfare of local populations.

Status mismatch and self-reported intimate partner violence in the European Union: does the country’s context matter?

ABSTRACT We explore whether status mismatch in education or income within couples is associated with self-reported intimate partner violence (IPV) and whether a country’s context relates to this. We used data collected by the ‘FRA Violence Against Women Survey’ in 2012, and we identified three dimensions of self-reported IPV: IPV via controlling behaviour, psychological IPV, and physical IPV. Based on logistic multilevel estimates of approximately 21,000 women in 27 European countries, we found that women, who were higher educated or earned more than their partners, were more likely to report all three types of IPV. We tested the impact of the societal context by looking at gender ideology, crime rates and the acceptance of domestic violence within a country. Our results suggest that only the level of crime directly impacts IPV, albeit only through controlling behaviour and psychological forms. Furthermore, none of the contextual characteristics moderate the relationship between status mismatch and IPV. Therefore, at least in our sample of European countries, the individual-level factors seem to weigh more than the societal context.

Sociocultural Determinants of Attitudes Toward Domestic Violence Among Women and Men in Afghanistan: Evidence from Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey 2015

Domestic violence (DV), also commonly referred to as intimate partner violence or spousal abuse, is a global public health issue that affects the physical, psychological, sexual, and reproductive health of women. We examined the sociocultural factors associated with the attitude toward DV perpetrated against women in Afghanistan. We used data from the 2015 Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey, consisting of an ever-married sample of 29,461 women and 10,760 men aged 15 to 49 years. Our dependent variable, attitude toward DV, was determined from responses on acceptance of wife-beating in five scenarios, and the group of socio cultural factors was selected based on evidence from previous studies. Our main analytical method was logistic regression, using the survey design. Our findings indicated that factors such as an increase in years of education and living in a wealthier household reduce the likelihood of acceptance of DV among men and women. Ethnicity was also associated with the attitude toward DV, but the magnitude varied across ethnic groups and gender. Furthermore, an increase in age and living in the urban area were associated with nonjustification of DV among women, but not among men. On the other hand, frequent exposure to the media increases the likelihood of acceptance of DV among men, but not for women. The result of the present study suggests that there are economic, social, and cultural aspects to the attitude toward DV among men and women in Afghanistan. Therefore, policies designed at changing the socio cultural perception of the people are of importance in other to bring about a change in attitude, and even combat the prevalence of DV.

Do remittances reduce women’s acceptance of domestic violence? Evidence from Pakistan

Abstract There is an emerging interdisciplinary literature that explores the transformation of prevailing gender norms as communities experience emigration and associated inflows of remittances. This paper focuses on a key gender norm, namely, women’s perception of experiencing domestic violence. Specifically, we investigate the impact of household access to remittance income on attitudes held by women in the household regarding the acceptability of domestic violence. Using data from a Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey conducted in the Punjab province of Pakistan in 2014, we isolate the causal impact of remittance income by employing a matching estimator to construct counterfactuals that allow us to compare women from otherwise identical households who differ solely in their access to remittances. Our results indicate that women in households with access to remittances are less likely to accept domestic violence than women in comparable households without remittance income, though there is considerable heterogeneity once we differentiate between different contexts for DV. Interestingly, the result persists even when we distinguish between transnational and domestic remittances, access to either type of transfer reducing the acceptance of domestic violence by comparable magnitudes. This suggests the operation of mechanisms other than the transnational diffusion of gender norms that has typically been emphasized in the literature.

‘Violence exists to show manhood’: Nepali men’s views on domestic violence – a qualitative study

ABSTRACT Background There is significant evidence of the prevalence and factors associated with domestic violence in high and low-income country settings. However, men’s views on domestic violence are still understudied and have never been reported in Nepali society. Objective The aim of the study was to explore Nepali men’s perceptions regarding domestic violence in their communities. Method The authors undertook a qualitative study using focus group discussions. Results Sixty-six married men, considered they were responsible for upholding family discipline and physically demonstrating their masculinity, and they suggested that violence was a mean for achieving this. Men’s frustration when unable to fulfil their family’s expectations or material needs, and cultural attitudes that precluded interference in other families’ lives, were perceived as factors contributing to domestic violence. The men held the opinion that women also perpetrated domestic violence. Some men were reluctant to accept domestic violence as a norm in Nepali families and were aware of recent changes in societal expectations regarding gender roles. Conclusion Overall, the Nepali men who participated in the study held different and sometimes opposing views on domestic violence, ranging from violence justified as a necessity for family discipline, uneasy acceptance that violence was commonplace in families, to definite opposition to the use of domestic violence. The study’s findings provide information for identifying points of intervention for violence-prevention efforts and strategies to alter the social and cultural norms that lead to acceptance of domestic violence.

Violence Against Women: A Cross‐cultural Analysis for Africa

Using a new dataset, we investigate violence against women in Africa. We focus on cultural factors arising from pre‐colonial customs, and show that these factors determined social norms about gender roles, family structures and intra‐family violence, which persisted even when the initial conditions change. A first set of ancestral characteristics relates to women's economic role: ethnic groups where women participated less in production (e.g. due to plough agriculture, husbandry or fishing) have higher levels of violence against women today, and more acceptance of it. A second set of ancestral characteristics pertains to marriage patterns and living arrangements. Endogamy and co‐residence with the husband's family are strongly positively associated with both the level and the acceptance of domestic violence. We also uncover a sizeable gender gap in attitudes towards violence, with women being more likely to justify violence compared to men. This gap is predicted by differences in demographic characteristics and by ancestral characteristics, such as co‐residence with the husband's family and the use of the plough. Our analysis sheds light on the origin, and long‐term persistence, of gender norms conducive to gender‐based violence.

Predictors of early childhood undernutrition in Nigeria: the role of maternal autonomy.

To investigate the relationship between maternal autonomy and various indices of child undernutrition among children aged &lt;2 years in Nigeria, considering the cultural context and sociodemographic factors. Population-based, cross-sectional study. Associations between various indices of maternal autonomy and child undernutrition (specifically stunting, underweight and wasting) were determined using weighted bivariate and multivariable logistic regression modelling. 2013 Nigerian Demographic Health Survey. Children aged between 3 and 24 months (n 7532). Overall, 31·4 % (n 2270), 29·8 % (n 2060) and 25·0 % (n 1755) of children in the sample were stunted, underweight and wasted, respectively. Women with acceptance of domestic violence (low autonomy) were approximately 18 and 14 % less likely to have stunted (OR = 0·82; 95 % CI 0·71, 0·94) and underweight children (OR = 0·86; 95 % CI 0·75, 0·99), respectively. Similarly, women with low power in their couple relations were 17 % less likely to have children who were wasted (OR = 0·83; 95 % CI 0·72, 0·97). Sociodemographic predictors of all indices of undernutrition included maternal education and Hausa ethnicity. Additionally, stunting was predicted by lack of exclusive breast-feeding, low income and being of Fulani ethnicity; wasting by having mothers with low BMI; and underweight by breast-feeding initiation within 1 h hour of birth, polygamous homes, mothers with low BMI and being of Fulani ethnicity. Women with acceptance of domestic violence and low power in couple relations were found to be less likely to have children with indices of undernutrition. This unexpected finding calls for future exploratory research, and policies and interventions that target at-risk subgroups.

Norms, practices, and gendered vulnerabilities in the lower Teesta basin, Bangladesh

Bangladesh is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Gendered vulnerability and its implications for people’s ability to cope with and adapt to climatic stressors was investigated in four poor rural communities in Dimla, Kaunia, Hatibandha, and Patgram upazilas (sub-districts) in Rangpur division in the lower Teesta basin area in northwest Bangladesh. These areas are strongly affected by seasonal floods, flash floods, river bank erosion, and drought throughout the year. Socioeconomic stressors coupled with these climatic stressors lead to a high level of gendered vulnerability among the villagers, which is likely to be exacerbated in extreme climatic situations. Asymmetrical gender divisions make women disproportionately vulnerable and decrease their coping and adaptive capacity in changed situations. The study showed that women are the most vulnerable amongst vulnerable groups, not simply as a result of their gender roles and responsibilities, but more as a result of discriminatory social norms and practices such as lack of property ownership, lack of education, early marriage, the dowry system, and acceptance of domestic violence against women, which further create barriers to women’s mobility and economic empowerment. Women are conditioned to remain at home and not participate, or to wait for men to accompany them to most activities taking place in the public space. Although significant numbers of women have been engaging in income generating activities, creating cooperative funds, and saving money, this is still within the confines of their private space. Government policy to empower women through free education is partly effective but the dominant patriarchal practice of early marriage and dowry discourage women from coming forward. The study concludes that the prevalent gender discriminatory norms and practices must be addressed to achieve gender transformative change, which is an essential requirement for gender equity and inclusive social development. Government policies and programs should be revised to address women’s practical and strategic needs for gender transformative change.

Analysis of Anti-Domestic Violence Policy Implementation in Georgia Using Contextual Interaction Theory (CIT)

AbstractThis study examines the development of anti-domestic-violence policy implementation in an emerging democracy, the country of Georgia. We applied a public policy framework – Contextual Interaction Theory (CIT) – which enabled us to thoroughly examine factors contributing to drawbacks in anti-domestic-violence policy implementation. The CIT framework was enriched by expanding it to the scale of the national anti-domestic-violence policy and placing greater emphasis on the victim. The qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews and media reveals that public policy implementers lack motivation, information and power to be able to really implement the anti-domestic-violence policy. The CIT analysis of domestic violence (DV) policies demonstrates that DV problems are further exacerbated by the contextual factors of societal attitudes in terms of gender inequality and social acceptance of DV, which creates unfavorable context for the realisation of the anti-DV policy. In such circumstances, according to the CIT, only symbolic realisation of a policy takes place. The use of CIT as a tool for the implementation of a policy will provide substantial input into its realisation. Based on this theory, it is crucial to increase information, motivation and power of implementers, as well as change the context for the anti-DV policy to be actually implemented.

The Role of Attitudes to, and the Frequency of, Domestic Violence Encounters in the Healthcare Professionals' Handling of Domestic Violence Cases.

BackgroundDomestic violence is recognized as a public health problem with a high prevalence in the general population. Healthcare professionals play an important role in the recognition and treatment of domestic violence. Hence, conducting research on factors that facilitate or inhibit appropriate actions by healthcare professionals is of the upmost importance. The objective of the study was to examine the relationship between healthcare professionals’ attitudes toward the acceptability of domestic violence and their responses when dealing with victims of domestic violence.MethodsThe sample consisted of 322 healthcare professionals (physicians, dentists, nursing staff and other healthcare workers; 85.2% female), who completed a questionnaire, assessing their attitudes towards domestic violence, experience, behaviour and perceived barriers in recognizing and treating domestic violence in the health care sector. The study was cross-sectional and used availability sampling.ResultsThe results showed no significant differences in domestic violence acceptability attitudes when comparing groups of healthcare professionals who reported low or high frequency of domestic violence cases encounters. Furthermore, we found that domestic violence acceptability attitudes were negatively associated with action taking when the frequency of encounters with domestic violence cases was high and medium. However, the attitudes were not associated with action taking when the frequency of encounters with domestic violence cases was low.ConclusionsThe results highlight the important role of attitudes in action taking of healthcare professionals when it comes to domestic violence. This indicates the need for educational interventions that specifically target healthcare professionals’ attitudes towards domestic violence.

Engendering Violence: The Acceptability of Domestic Violence as a Determinant of Intrastate Conflict

Engendering Violence: The Acceptability of Domestic Violence as a Determinant of Intrastate Conflict

Attitudes Justifying Domestic Violence Predict Endorsement of Corporal Punishment and Physical and Psychological Aggression towards Children: A Study in 25 Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The Convention on the Rights of the Child has prompted countries to protect children from abuse and exploitation. Exposure to domestic violence and corporal punishment are risk factors in children's development. This study investigated how women's attitudes about domestic violence are related to attitudes about corporal punishment and harsh behaviors toward children, and whether country-wide norms regarding domestic violence and corporal punishment are related to psychological aggression and physical violence toward children. Data were drawn from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, a nationally representative and internationally comparable household survey developed by the United Nations Children's Fund. Measures of domestic violence and discipline were completed by 85 999 female caregivers of children between the ages of 2 and 14 years from families in 25 low- and middle-income countries. Mothers who believed that husbands were justified in hitting their wives were more likely to believe that corporal punishment is necessary to rear children. Mothers who believed that husbands were justified in hitting their wives and that corporal punishment is necessary to rear children were more likely to report that their child had experienced psychological aggression and physical violence. Countrywide norms regarding the acceptability of husbands hitting wives and advisability of corporal punishment moderated the links between mothers' attitudes and their behaviors toward children. Pediatricians can address parents' psychological aggression and physical violence toward children by discussing parents' attitudes and behaviors within a framework that incorporates social norms regarding the acceptability of domestic violence and corporal punishment.

Does maternal autonomy influence feeding practices and infant growth in rural India?

The high prevalence of child under-nutrition remains a profound challenge in the developing world. Maternal autonomy was examined as a determinant of breast feeding and infant growth in children 3–5 months of age. Cross-sectional baseline data on 600 mother-infant pairs were collected in 60 villages in rural Andhra Pradesh, India. The mothers were enrolled in a longitudinal randomized behavioral intervention trial. In addition to anthropometric and demographic measures, an autonomy questionnaire was administered to measure different dimensions of autonomy (e.g. decision-making, freedom of movement, financial autonomy, and acceptance of domestic violence). We conducted confirmatory factor analysis on maternal autonomy items and regression analyses on infant breast feeding and growth after adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic variables, and accounting for infant birth weight, infant morbidity, and maternal nutritional status. Results indicated that mothers with higher financial autonomy were more likely to breastfeed 3–5 month old infants. Mothers with higher participation in decision-making in households had infants that were less underweight and less wasted. These results suggest that improving maternal financial and decision-making autonomy could have a positive impact on infant feeding and growth outcomes.

Domestic Violence in India

This article studies domestic violence between husband and wife in India, and attitudes to domestic violence. We use the term ‘gender-based violence’ because some men use violence to control their wives. Data from the Demographic and Health Survey 1998–2000 has been analysed. This survey includes women in the ages of 15 to 49, in 26 Indian states. We focus only on violence by husbands against wives, ignoring other types of violence (such as a wife being hit by her husband's family, or a man being hit by his wife). Evidence in this paper is consistent with previous research indicating that gender-based violence is very prevalent in India. It seems likely that it is related to whether such violence is seen as acceptable in the perpetrator's family and in the local community. We suggest that there are similarities between the behaviour of some Indian men and the ‘machismo’ values reported in other cultures (especially in Latin America). We confirm previous claims that violence is less common if women and men are well educated; we also note that acceptance of domestic violence appears to be related to the respondent's education level. Thus, we encourage the Government of India to prioritise education for both boys and girls.

Male Domestic Violence

This study investigated whether men who use violence toward their partners are more accepting of domestic violence and report higher levels of general aggression and levels of interpersonal dependency than comparison groups (football players and community service volunteers). Participants consisted of 83 men: 23 from an intervention program for violent men, 30 football players, and 30 community service volunteers. Measures of attitudes to the acceptability of domestic violence, aggression levels, and interpersonal dependency levels were administered. Results indicated the violent men were more aggressive and more dependent than both the comparison groups, whereas all three groups had a low tolerance of violence toward female partners. Football players and community service volunteers did not differ in their levels of general aggression. These findings emphasize the importance of intervention programs addressing the areas of male aggression and emotional dependency in their syllabuses as a strategy for curbing male violence toward female partners.