The prevalence of wife battering in India no matter how shocking and revolting to us, is a very common and acceptable practice deeply rooted in Indian culture.
In India the idea of having a son is far more accepted and met with more enthusiasm than the birth of girl. Female infanticide is high very in India. The reason females are viewed in such a negative way is because girls are more likely to move away from the family when they marry, therefore lessening the possibility of them contributing to the family fortune. Sons receive a greater preference because as the author Elaine Leeder states, “ Boy’s are needed as economic assets, for farming, and for the money they send home if they move away. “
Since females are often viewed as “drains to society” and burdens, they are often neglected and abused. The abuse, although it often begins in childhood, might begin to reach its peak before a girl marries. In some cases, the parents of the groom will take the bride hostage and abuse her in hopes of receiving a greater dowry from the girl’s parents. Often when they do not meet these conditions the bride is beaten and forced to live in fear. After a beating ,the power of the bride in the family structure is decreased. In some instances, the family property and her children are given to other members of the household.
Because it is the husband’s duty to keep the wife “ in line” beating her when she does not behave is perfectly acceptable and often expected. Yet, some husbands take it too far and beat their wives in a drunken stupor without cause. This abuse is often allowed to continue if the husband is when sober, a good husband and only beats his wife excessively when drunk. The village monk or elder will interfere if the battering and beating of the wife exceeds the reasonable standards and acceptable circumstances, set forth by the village. In these cases a monk will interfere and stop the violence against the wife.
Interestingly but not surprising, women who have male children seem to avoid or at least have reduced instances of beating. Elaine Leeder, offers this explanation as to why this might be the case. “Because she has “ fulfilled societal expectations, it seems to provide a deterrent to abuse”) SO pg. 249
Still the abuse and common practice of wife battering continues and “ With living outside of marriage not being an option for women” this cycle of abuse and terror is repeated from generation to generation. Especially since it is viewed as an important and essential part of the family life.
The practice of child is abuse is also common in India. Child abuse has always been most commonly seen as a more prominent problem of the lower class. However, with the industrialization and modernization of India, the middle class families are under more stress. As a result of the more urbanized evolution of India, more child abuse is being found in the higher classes of Indian society.
As the author explains “ There is intense competition and effort at upward mobility. This also puts stress on the family. In addition, there is a well-established pattern of corporal punishment in raising children. Children are socialized to obey parents………… The family is highly hierarchical, and now that families are moving away from the joint family, there is less support for raising the children and sharing the household tasks. All these factors create an environment that’s ripe for an increase in child abuse rates.” (SO pg. 249)Direct Quote)
Invisible Violence and Visible Violence
The Vietnam war can be credited with having a significant impact of family life in Vietnam. SO pg. 251). As a result of the 1945 revolution many tried and later succeeded at obtaining equality for women, thus abolishing the inferior position and status women were given. Yet, traditional beliefs and views on women and their place in society die hard, and there are still some who as the author states “ allow to linger the vestiges of Confucian ideology.”
Men often behave as kings in their own home despite the fact that women in the workforce make more money than the men. Women’s numbers in the workforce are large and like the United States the second shift is very common.”
However, after work, the women must spend between five to six hours a night doing housework. This has been as referred to in the text called” the invisible violence of Vietnam. Because while there may not be physical violence between men and women, intimidation and fear drive the relationships. This equity occurs for both urban educated and rural poor women.” SO pg. 251
Visible violence is the leading cause of divorce in Vietnam. Unlike the invisible violence which occurs through use of intimidation there is actual physical abuse inflicted on the women by their husbands. The seriousness of this disturbing trend can be seen from a study which found that 17.5 % of the deaths in Vietnam were a result of family violence; while a staggering 87.5% of divorces was a direct result of violence in the home. ( SO pg. 251)
A reason given for this violence was this socioeconomic status. “Poverty stricken men often feel they are allowed to take out their frustration and anger on their wives and children.” Other reasons range from jealousy, adultery, to gambling ect… No matter what the cause, the prominence of Visible violence is just as real as the invisible violence.
The prevalence of wife battering in India no matter how shocking and revolting to us, is a very common and acceptable practice deeply rooted in Indian culture.
In India, the idea of having a son is far more accepted and met with more enthusiasm than the birth of girl. Female infanticide is high very in India. The reason females are viewed in such a negative way is because girls are more likely to move away from the family when they marry, therefore lessening the possibility of them contributing to the family fortune. Sons receive a greater preference because as the author Elaine Leeder states, “ Boy’s are needed as economic assets, for farming, and for the money they send home if they move away. “
Since females are often viewed as “drains to society” and burdens, they are often neglected and abused. The abuse, although it often begins in childhood, might begin to reach its peak before a girl marries. In some cases, the parents of the groom will take the bride hostage and abuse her in hopes of receiving a greater dowry from the girl’s parents. Often when they do not meet these conditions the bride is beaten and forced to live in fear. After a beating ,the power of the bride in the family structure is decreased. In some instances, the family property and her children are given to other members of the household.
Because it is the husband’s duty to keep the wife “ in line” beating her when she does not behave is perfectly acceptable and often expected. Yet, some husbands take it too far and beat their wives in a drunken stupor without cause. This abuse is often allowed to continue if the husband is when sober, a good husband and only beats his wife excessively when drunk. The village monk or elder will interfere if the battering and beating of the wife exceeds the reasonable standards and acceptable circumstances, set forth by the village. In these cases a monk will interfere and stop the violence against the wife.
Interestingly but not surprising, women who have male children seem to avoid or at least have reduced instances of beating. Elaine Leeder, offers this explanation as to why this might be the case. “Because she has “ fulfilled societal expectations, it seems to provide a deterrent to abuse”) SO pg. 249
Still the abuse and common practice of wife battering continues and “ With living outside of marriage not being an option for women” this cycle of abuse and terror is repeated from generation to generation. Especially since it is viewed as an important and essential part of the family life.
The practice of child is abuse is also common in India. Child abuse has always been most commonly seen as a more prominent problem of the lower class. However, with the industrialization and modernization of India, the middle class families are under more stress. As a result of the more urbanized evolution of India, more child abuse is being found in the higher classes of Indian society.
As the author explains “ There is intense competition and effort at upward mobility. This also puts stress on the family. In addition, there is a well-established pattern of corporal punishment in raising children. Children are socialized to obey parents………… The family is highly hierarchical, and now that families are moving away from the joint family, there is less support for raising the children and sharing the household tasks. All these factors create an environment that’s ripe for an increase in child abuse rates.” (SO pg. 249)Direct Quote)
Invisible Violence and Visible Violence
The Vietnam war can be credited with having a significant impact of family life in Vietnam. SO pg. 251). As a result of the 1945 revolution many tried and later succeeded at obtaining equality for women, thus abolishing the inferior position and status women were given. Yet, traditional beliefs and views on women and their place in society die hard, and there are still some who as the author states “ allow to linger the vestiges of Confucian ideology.”
Men often behave as kings in their own home despite the fact that women in the workforce make more money than the men. Women’s numbers in the workforce are large and like the United States the second shift is very common.”
However, after work, the women must spend between five to six hours a night doing housework. This has been as referred to in the text called” the invisible violence of Vietnam. Because while there may not be physical violence between men and women, intimidation and fear drive the relationships. This equity occurs for both urban educated and rural poor women.” SO pg. 251
Visible violence is the leading cause of divorce in Vietnam. Unlike the invisible violence which occurs through use of intimidation there is actual physical abuse inflicted on the women by their husbands. The seriousness of this disturbing trend can be seen from a study which found that 17.5 % of the deaths in Vietnam were a result of family violence; while a staggering 87.5% of divorces was a direct result of violence in the home. ( SO pg. 251)
A reason given for this violence was this socioeconomic status. “Poverty stricken men often feel they are allowed to take out their frustration and anger on their wives and children.” Other reasons range from jealousy, adultery, to gambling ect… No matter what the cause, the prominence of Visible violence is just as real as the invisible violence.
Tais