Social Gender and Domestic Violence: The Case of Turkey
- 1. Department of Psychiatry Nursing, University of Inonu, Turkey
Abstract
Women and men who conflict with exposed to gender roles and social norms are being alienated by society and experience various difficulties. The traditional use of social gender roles creates social inequality. Social inequality is the most important reason for violence against women and children.
Citation
Ozdemir A, Gultekin A, Budak F (2017) Social Gender and Domestic Violence: The Case of Turkey. Ann Psychiatry Ment Health 5(6): 1117.
Keywords
• Intrafamily violence
• Social gender
• Violence
ABBREVIATIONS
WHO: World Health Organization
INTRODUCTION
In many societies, the roles and responsibilities imposed on the people are divided into male and female gender roles [1].
The roles undertaken by women and men in society are determined by factors such as culture, values, laws, religion, personal and private relationships between men and women in the society, which can change over time. However, the passive role is seen as appropriate for women in society in general, whereas men assume an active role in the society [2,3].
Women and men who conflict with exposed to gender roles and social norms are being alienated by society and experience various difficulties. For example, society impose a man the obligation to make a living at home, whereas the tasks such as housework, cooking, looking after children, and taking responsibilities of spouse belong to women. Due to these roles, individuals can feel both physical and psychological pressures. In this sense, we face with the concept of domestic violence, which affects mostly women and children [1,4,5]. This review aim is to provide information on the social gender roles and the reflections of domestic violence in Turkey.
Concept of Social Gender Roles
Social gender includes the duties and responsibilities of the community to the individual.It is a concept related to the way the individual perceives and expectations of society. Gender determines nature, social gender determines culture. Social gender consist of sexual education and attitudes at early age [6- 12].The culture of the society; it gives a direction to a woman and a man will behave, how to think and how to act [13]. For this reason, jobs for women are becoming more important than family roles, while jobs such as housework and child care are more prominent for women. Thus, women stand out as jobs and childcare jobs related to home. Job roles for men are becoming more important than family roles [14]. In addition, women are asked to be patient, understanding, and to regulate human relations. It is expected that they are stronger than men, that their families will be relieved, and that they will have efficiency and control over the environment [13].
Studies of gender roles shown that women are more egalitarian than men and while men are tied to traditional patterns and tend to be violent [1,15-19].
The more egalitarian attitude of women can be explained by their strong desire to have an equal position with men at work and family life, their quick adaptation to social roles, and their more positive attitudes towards equal roles; whereas, the traditional pattern of men can be explained by the aggressive and competitive upbringing, and society’s acceptance of violence among them as normal [20,21].
Some studies in Turkey show that the traditional society structure of men continues [22-27].There are also studies in which women admit to violence due to social roles [28,29].
The basic idea in Turkey is that the family head is male. The rate of accepting this opinion in the results of the 2011 Turkey Values Survey is 48% [30].This patriarchal structure is the main cause of domestic violence. The male tries to establish his authority within the family.If a woman transcends a certain “limit”, she will tend to show the act of violence she has seen in her own family [28].
Domestic Violence and Social Gender
-based violence against women is defined as “gender-based violence” that is directed at a woman because she is a woman, or affects women disproportionately [32].Violence against women is the use of physical force or intimidation. It covers the whole range of harmful behaviors of women and girls that are guided by their sex [33].
In Turkey, Prime Ministry Directorate General on the Status of Women conducted a nationwide survey on violence against women in 2010. It was found that 44% of married women were exposed to at least one of their forms of emotional violence / abuse at any time during their life, 30% reported that economic violence, 36% reported that physical violence, 12% reported sexual violence, and 38% reported exposure to at least one of two forms of violence, mostly sexual violence combined with physical violence [34]. Domestic violence in Turkey studies have found that 32.9-61.4% of women are exposed to violence [34-39].
While there are many factors that affect violence against women, the main source of violence is gender inequality, asymmetric power relationship between men and women, resulting in patriarchal society.In parallel, violence against women and domestic violence; it is the most effective tool to maintain patriarchal order, to obey and to maintain ongoing power imbalance [40].
Uzun’s study found that social gender inequality in university students and violence prevention training for women increased social gender perception and social gender role point averages [41].
Domestic violence is shaped by many factors, such as interpersonal relationships, social and social factors, attitudes towards gender roles imposed by society, and can lead to unhappy couples, divorce, increased psychological, economic and social problems, and can even lead to serious injuries and death [42].
Women and men who conflict with exposed to gender roles and social norms are being alienated by society and experience various difficulties. For example, society impose a man the obligation to make a living at home, whereas the tasks such as housework, cooking, looking after children, and taking responsibilities of spouse belong to women. Due to these roles, individuals can feel both physical and psychological pressures. In this sense, we face with the concept of domestic violence, which affects mostly women and children [29].
Children are exposed to domestic violence, abuse and neglect due to social gender role inequality [Tahiro?lu ve ark, 2016].Thus, Ibabe’s study of 103 adolescents shows that social gender role inequality is the cause of domestic violence towards adolescents [44].
In a study by Sa?lam with children attending secondary school, it was stated that children with a tendency to violence were exposed to social gender inequality in their families [45].
CONCLUSION
The traditional use of social gender roles creates social inequality. Social inequality is the most important reason for violence against women and children. As a result, the suggestions made in favor of a healthy community based on sound foundations are as follows: the prevention of domestic violence, raising awareness of violence, ensuring higher participation in training programs to be provided on social gender roles, since it has been found in various studies that men are more traditional and have a propensity for violence. preparation of a number of programs for men on violence, knowing how and why gender roles are accepted today, understanding how these roles are reflected in interpersonal relationships.
