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Psychological Viewpoint On Domestic Violence
By Dr.NIranjan Prasad Upadhyay
Domestic violence is emotionally harmful acts between husbands and wives or between other individuals in intimate relationships. Violence between intimate partners can take many forms. It may include emotional or verbal abuse, denial of access to resources or money, restraint of normal activities or freedom (including isolation from friends and family), sexual coercion or assault, threats to kill or to harm, and physical intimidation or attacks. In extreme cases, domestic violence may result in the death of a partner.
Psychology of Domestic Violence
Violence is an obstacle for accomplishment of objectives of equality, development and peace. It violates and damages human personal liberty. Psychologically, the patriarchal view of society gives men higher value than women. It is taken for granted that men should dominate women in politics, economics, and the social world including family life and interpersonal relationship. This is still seen as normal and natural practice in various aspects of modern society in many parts of the world. His Majesty's Government, the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare stresses that trafficking of Nepalese children for commercial sexual exploitation is serious problem in Nepal. It is estimated that average of 5,000 - 7,000 Nepalese women and girls are taken to Indian brothels every year. Trafficked women and children suffer from depression, frustration as well as physical and mental torture. Under a broad definition, violence against women includes: sexual abuse and torture, women trafficking, rape, incest, sexual harassment, dowry and bride price, rough treatment of women, marital rape, traditional form of violence, mental torment, verbal abuse, and gender discrimination.
Psychologists claim that almost all girls as they grow into womanhood are taught to fear. Fear is the form in which the female internalizes both chivalry and the double standard. Her fear results in a passive rather than active response to male aggression. She may become paralyzed with fear, restrict her behavior (i.e., not to go out alone, not to do anything without her partner’s permission), try to appease her attacker, and worry about how she can prevent a future attack.
Extent of Domestic Violence
Many experts and lay-persons use the term domestic violence and spouse abuse interchangeably. Some scholars and activists consider the term spouse abuse inappropriate. They assert that because the term is gender-neutral—that is, it can refer to abuse of either husband or wife—it gives the impression that men are as likely as women to be victims of abuse. Experts agree that domestic violence is a widespread problem. However, its actual extent is difficult to measure. Surveys of individuals generally produce higher estimates of violence than official records, but they are also assumed to underestimate the actual extent of domestic violence. For a variety of reasons, respondents may fail to report violence that occurs with an intimate partner.
Violence against women is actually violence against mothers, sisters wives, daughters and daughter-in-laws. The woman is the most abused object and all this violence stems from home. Domestic violence in Nepal consists of mental and physical methods. These consist of rapes, beatings, kicking shoving, leaving women (mostly wives) at dangerous places alone, sexual exploitation and abuse, etc. Modern violence consists of threatening through the telephone and saying all sorts of vulgar and obscene things.
Causes of Domestic Violence
No single factor explains why men and women assault and abuse their partners. The factors most closely related to spouse abuse are youth of both the offender and the victim (between 18 and 30 years old), low income, growing up in a violent family, alcohol or substance abuse, unemployment, sexual difficulties, and low job satisfaction. While no single personality factor causes domestic violence, offenders committing the most serious abuse tend to have antisocial personality disorders. People with such disorders have an impaired ability to feel guilt, remorse, or anxiety.
Social and Cultural Aspects
Social and cultural influences also contribute to spouse violence. Because most victims of intimate violence are women, researchers who analyze social factors contributing to spouse abuse often focus on the role of women in society. In most societies, economic and social processes operate directly and indirectly to support a patriarchal (male-dominated) social order and family structure. Patriarchy is associated with the subordination (restriction to inferior status) and oppression of women. Some analysts believe that patriarchy accounts for the historical pattern of violence directed against women in intimate relationships. The violence is often institutionalized, or formalized in societal structures, for instance in traditional laws and customs that permit husbands to physically punish their wives.
Effects on Victims
Victims of domestic violence experience both short-term and long-lasting effects. Physical injuries can range from bruises, cuts, and burns to broken bones, stab wounds, miscarriages (in women), and death. Also, victims experience depression and other psychological distress, eating disorders, and alcohol and substance abuse problems, and they are more likely than other people to contemplate or attempt suicide. Children who witness domestic violence experience depression and psychological distress and are more likely than other children to be physically violent.
Encarta Encyclopedia (2002) states that majority experts agree economic and cultural factors play an especially powerful role in contributing to and perpetuating repeated abuse of women. Because women, as a group, tend to have less power in society, they are more likely to be victims and are less able to end abuse once it begins. Traditional beliefs, customs, and laws restrict the roles women may play and limit their economic opportunities, contributing to their dependence on men. Some scholars assert that the process of socialization teaches boys and girls a belief system that devalues women—especially unmarried women—and creates a sense of female responsibility for the maintenance of the family. Women who believe that the end of a relationship or of a marriage represents a personal failure are less likely to leave abusive relationships.
Treatment and Prevention
A variety of programs and services, both for victims and offenders, exist to treat and prevent domestic violence. An increasingly common response to domestic violence has been the establishment of treatment programs for offenders. Although programs for offenders vary in form and in underlying theory, most involve group therapy. Many are educational and offer a feminist perspective on domestic violence. Such programs seek to educate male offenders about the role of patriarchy and to demonstrate that men’s attitudes and behavior about control and power lead to abuse of women.
(The author is Joint Secretary, Public Service Commission)
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