Embodying Martial Behavior

Stark explains that where women are already subordinate, wife beating is supported by the patriarchy and is a function of specific factors. Under the law women were not equal citizens to men, so women that were abused by their husbands or family members attributed it to bad luck. Industrialization widened the work home divide. That is, work done in the home (women’s work) and wage labour (men’s work) was separated by sex, and the latter was considered ‘real’ work. In tandem with political and legal gains, throughout the twentieth century the rate of women participating in the work forced increased. As capitalism became the major form of social organization, and women were liberated and emancipated from men and the private sphere, violence was no longer sufficient to enforce dependence on individual men. Stark explains that this was because the material and political basis for patriarchy was displaced, and the illogical privilege based solely on sex was exposed. Sexual hierarchies began to collapse, and men began using a range of behaviours to compliment their use of force. Although it was not specifically written about before the 1970s, this became known as coercive control. “Each household governed by coercive control, each relationship, becomes patriarchy in miniature” (p. 194). Stark concludes this section by

Throughout the 1800’s in the United States, state laws and cultural practices continued to support a husband's “right” to discipline his wife. It wasn't until 1895 that women were given the right to divorce their husbands no matter the conditions (Dryden-Edwards MD, 2012). Another stride in unveiling the taboo and private nature of domestic violence was made through the Battered Women's Movement, which was a by-product of the Women’s Liberation Movement from the 1960’s. Greatly supported by the Feminist theory, this movement was frequently credited for unmasking the extent of intimate partner violence and agitating for social change (Meyer-Emerick, 2002).

However in many cases women even with some formal education stayed in the marriage because of fear of stigmatization, losing her children, and negative attitudes towards employing a female in the labour market. It was interesting to note that many women who had some formal education suffered from more intense violence. It could be because these women are more aware of their rights and are more likely to question their husbands’ behaviour. This could be seen as defiant and disrespectful to the husband which would result in abuse of greater intensity. This could also be confirmed by the fact that younger girls who are likely to have a higher level of education and awareness than the older generation face greater violence because they criticize this culture of violence instead of quietly accepting it as a norm.

Families in which husbands are abusive to their wives depict these social attitudes and furthermore, convey messages to their children that domestic violence is tolerable in society (Abraham, 1995). This notion is also argued by Gelles and Smith who stated that “wife abuse is more common among couples who witnessed their mothers being abused and/or were abused when they were a child” (as cited by Furze et al, 2008, p213). Therefore, domestic violence is caused by patriarchal structures and male domination in socialisation.

Throughout the history of humankind, women’s bodies and sexuality have been critiqued, chastised, and judged by society. During the witch craze of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, many women were accused of being evil beings. Over 60,000 women were wrongfully executed by their accusers . It was believed that woman who were midwives, challenged male authority, or were sexually promiscuous and given themselves to Satin and were now evil and immoral beings. The more “feminine” senses, touch, smell, and taste were often associated with being a witch . By accusing women who were sexual agents or who were associated with women’s bodies or sexuality (such as midwives) of being evil and executing them, men were able to use gender to

Women abuse is a problem that plagues society in numerous ways. It is a problem that lacks proper definition in today’s society, and as a result has many misconceptions regarding the subject. It has been a problem that has been going on for centuries and has only recently been discussed as inappropriate and a disgusting act against women. The stereotypical family of a mother, father and children, loving, caring and happy with each other is always depicted on television. Real life relationships and families range from happy and loving to extreme dysfunctional in today’s society. Not every relationship and family experiences the “haven in the heartless world” (Momirov, 2011), many experience more heartless world within the family. This paper will focus on women abuse within the family. The purpose of this paper is to explore women that are victims of domestic abuse and the social structures that create the social problem women will face for the rest of their lives. This paper argues that neoliberal state policies create the social conditions that force abused women to stay in abusive relationships. This paper covers women abuse through three main parts. Part one of this essay will

is tolerated under these traditional conditions as discipline (Cohen, 1996). Domestic violence is overwhelmingly committed by men ".. to discipline and coerce women" (Cohen, 1996). "Husbands use violence against their wives as a way of coercing them, establishing control, and conveying rules to regulate 'proper' female behavior (Dobash & Dobash, 1977-1978)." This type of abusive behavior often comes from the ideology that women are subordinate to men (Cohen, 1996). This way of thinking

During the early 1800s into the nineteenth century it was believed that men and women came from two separate spheres. These spheres influenced the way gender roles were shaped and perceived. Suggesting that women belonged in the household, apart of the private sphere and men belonged in the economic world, apart of the public sphere. Men and women were understood to be polar opposites and because of this, women were oppressed. Female sexuality was defined as “passionlessness,” and only for the purpose of reproduction. We learn that women were considered “voracious” for expressing their sexuality however, men were encouraged to express their sexuality as part of maintaining power, prestige, and masculinity. (Cott, 1978, 222). Men

This began to change in the 1980s, as women’s groups were organized locally and internationally to demand attention to the physical, psychological, and economic abuse of women (p.369-370). Domestic violence is a serious social issue that happens to many women in our world today. This type of abuse is not declining but continually rising on a daily basis. There have been issues in the past with the way these cases were being handled. Today, there has been some improvement concerning the laws that have been enforced in order to protect women from this type of abuse. There has been extensive research done on this issue in the past concerning domestic violence. Over the last ten years there have been a number of surveys on domestic violence that have been published from around the world.

Furthermore, factors that contribute to the beginning of violence against an intimate partner is emphasized by both literary texts, correlating with the reality of domestic violence in modern society. The thoughts of conducting abuse may arise in the subconscious mind of a person due to several influences, such as witnessing abuse as a child or mental illnesses, without the person’s intent; however, the choice to carry out the act still lies in the hands of the individual. Those who violate women once continue their abuse for extended periods of time, rarely ever being able to change. According to several psychiatrists who analyze the behaviour and influence of domestic abusers, “people with very traditional beliefs [think] they have the right

Gender oppression and gender roles in marriage during the late 1800s. The role or behavior learned by a person as appropriate to their gender, determined by the prevailing cultural norms. There were fixed gender roles assigned by male-dominated societies. The man’s role being that of the husband and rational thinker, and the woman’s role being that of the dutiful wife who does not question her husband’s authority. Back then it was normal for the women to be seen as weak minded and lesser than the men. Even from religious figures like pastors and priest in the 18 and 1900s contributed to the oppression of women in marriage. New brides were told that they are the submissive partner

Throughout history, violent women and women with violent intent have starkly emerged from many countries, carving their niches in myths and legends. The creation of these stories suggests that men began to notice lethality in feminine charm centuries back.

Historically, domestic violence on females has evolved drastically. It used to be a norm for women to be objects of their fathers or husbands and lacked civil rights. In many cultures, domestic violence was not preceded as a crime. According to Marcia Chaiken’s article “Domestic Violence and Criminal Justice,” she explains the history of violence against women and how it has evolved through the centuries. Chaiken states how women experience physical and sexual violence by their intimate partners which leave harmful effects on mental and physical health, and their ability to live healthy and productive lives. In the past, men had the right to use physical force against their wives and forcing sex was considered a private relational problem. Forcing sex was sought as romance back in the day, not rape. Religions generally discouraged the act of physical abuse within relationships, but women had to obey the men because they lived under his roof. A common perception of the past was that a man’s home was inviolate and authorities cannot interfere with relationships. Around the 1960s, women

Violence appeared to be a gendered act usually resulting in male over female dominance during the nineteenth century (D'Cruse 21). Within

The subject of husband-battering had finally been addressed, but not to the great satisfaction of anyone. Although it had finally been shown that there was violence being perpetrated both by wives and husbands, there was no information about relative frequency or severity, or who initiated the abuse and who was acting in self defense. Furthermore, some researchers became concerned that the use of police or social services references in choosing subjects to study might be biasing the results. In short, they recognized that battered husbands might be nearly invisible next to their female counterparts.