South Asian
Women
 
Numerous factors, including cultural, economic,
legal, and political factors, can cause or perpetuate domestic
violence. Applicable cultural factors include social status
classified by gender, cultural definitions of appropriate gender
roles, expectations of roles within relationships, belief in male
superiority, a value system that allows men proprietary rights over
women and girls, beliefs that the family is entitled to privacy and
is under male control, marriage customs (e.g., bride price, dowry),
and acceptance that violence is an appropriate means to resolve
conflict.
In South Asian culture, men
have the right to control their wives’ behaviour and women who challenge
that right, even by asking for household money or by expressing the
needs of the children, may be punished. As one husband said in a
focus group discussion in Tamil Nadu, India:
“If
it is a great mistake,
then the husband is
justified in beating his wife.
Why
not? A cow will not be obedient without
beatings”
(Chew-Graham et al.,
2002).
Worldwide, studies identify a consistent
list of events that are said to trigger violence:
·
Should
a woman voice her own opinion or disagree with her
husband’s?
·
Not
obey orders?
·
Fail
to have food ready in a timely fashion?
·
Not
care for the children or home the way the husband
demands?
·
Ask
about finances?
·
Question
her husband about suspected girlfriends or
infidelity?
·
Leave
the house without the husband’s permission?
·
Or
refuse him sex?
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