Domestic Violence in Cultural Context: Male Honor, Female Fidelity and Loyalty
Cultural gender roles that portray females as passive, nurturing supporters of men's activities, along with cultural beliefs that emphasize loyalty and sacrifice for the family, may contribute to a tolerance for domestic violence. These themes are particularly strong in cultures where honor is emphasized. Cultural variation on these dimensions led to predictions of cultural differences in the acceptance and prevalence of domestic violence. Three studies examined cultural influences on domestic violence. In Study 1, students from honor cultures (Hispanic-Americans and southern Anglo-Americans) rated a woman in an abusive relationship more positively (compared to northern Anglo-Americans) if she stayed with the man; in contrast, Northern Anglo-Americans (a culture where honor traditions are less salient) rated the woman more positively if she left the man (compared to Hispanics and southern Anglos). In Study 2, Hispanics and southern Anglos who witnessed a woman being shoved and restrained by her fiance later communicated less disapproval of the violence and more approval of the woman if she portrayed herself as contrite and self-blaming, as compared to northern Anglos. The third study broadened the scope of inquiry by using archival data from nations around the world. Using an international sample, indicators of cultural emphases on female purity, male status, and family collectivism predicted the prevalence of domestic violence at the aggregate level.
Sociology, Individual and Family Studies
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign