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'Small small quarrels bring about happiness or love in the relationships': Exploring community perceptions and gendered norms contributing to male perpetrated intimate partner violence in the Central Region of Ghana
- Source :
- PLoS ONE, Vol 14, Iss 11, p e0225296 (2019), PLoS ONE
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2019.
-
Abstract
- In this paper, we explore gender norms held by men and women that might contribute to male perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Ghana. This qualitative research was conducted at the pre-intervention stage of a cluster randomized controlled trial. Our intervention uses community-based action teams to change social norms on gender and violence. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted within communities. We found that male perpetrated IPV is a common phenomenon within the study communities, yet it is complex and experienced differently depending on the context. A woman's non-compliance with gender norms provided context for the male partner to enforce societal conformity through IPV. Also, male partners' misbehavior (e.g. alcohol abuse) may exacerbate IPV. Whereas the former is socially acceptable, the latter may be contested. Victims may challenge/counteract IPV using varying tactics (e.g. threats), which were mainly directed toward male partners' immoral behavior. We conclude that there is a need to assess IPV with key considerations for female agency, as some victims may respond with violence. Moreover, some communities have the tendency to demonstrate more gender-equitable attitudes regarding male perpetration of IPV, as indicated by laws instituted by some traditional leaders to deter perpetrators. These are key learnings that can inform the design and delivery of various interventions that seek to address IPV.
- Subjects :
- Male
Domestic Violence
Epidemiology
Economics
Happiness
Psychological intervention
Intimate Partner Violence
Social Sciences
050109 social psychology
Criminology
Conformity
Ghana
Cultural Anthropology
Geographical Locations
Families
0302 clinical medicine
Sociology
Agency (sociology)
Social Norms
Medicine and Health Sciences
Psychology
Public and Occupational Health
030212 general & internal medicine
Children
media_common
Multidisciplinary
05 social sciences
Traumatic Injury Risk Factors
Gender Identity
Middle Aged
Qualitative Studies
Dissent and Disputes
Religion
Research Design
Population Surveillance
Medicine
Female
Crime
Social psychology
Research Article
Adult
Adolescent
media_common.quotation_subject
Science
education
Context (language use)
Research and Analysis Methods
03 medical and health sciences
Young Adult
Humans
0501 psychology and cognitive sciences
Violent Crime
Aged
Behavior
Biology and Life Sciences
social sciences
Focus group
Love
Age Groups
Medical Risk Factors
Anthropology
People and Places
Africa
Domestic violence
Perception
Population Groupings
Finance
Qualitative research
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 14
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....567f1e9885e23d9c04ca0e0215420725