Talking about domestic violence: A handbook for ... - Engagingmen.net

3.2. Session 2:
Factors that contribute to domestic
violence
Introduction
The factors that contribute to domestic violence have their roots in social customs, standards
and rules that prescribe certain patterns of behaviour for men and women. Society supports and
rewards those who obey these rules and punishes those who deviate from them. This behaviour is
largely a result of traditional upbringing, in which aggressive male behaviour is often seen as the only
approach to problem resolving. Boys are taught that they must be pushy and aggressive towards
other people if they are to achieve their goals. At the same time, girls are taught to endure and to be
both accommodating and submissive to men, limiting their own desires and interests.
Some factors that may increase violence 13 :
• Alcohol and drugs make it difficult for some people to control their behaviour. They might
turn to violence to solve their problems.
• Parents and teachers who hit children are teaching them to solve problems using violence.
• Some people who do not have jobs can feel powerless. They might try to feel more powerful
by beating their family or fighting with other people.
• Some TV and radio programmes show that violence and criminal behaviour is the way to success.
Children should not watch or listen to these programmes.
There are also some beliefs that can increase violent behaviour, such as:
• Some people believe that men are allowed to control women. This can lead to violence. There
are also Khmer social customs that make people believe that men are in charge of women
and that men and women must behave and divide work in certain ways. However, men and
women are equal and have the same rights.
• Some people believe real men should be aggressive and real women should be submissive.
This may result in violence.
13 Adapted from GTZ booklet on violence. Ministry of Women’s Affairs and German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) (2006), What is Violence?, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Talking about Domestic Violence
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