Gender Violence: Social Representations of Relatives

Abstract

This study aimed at analyzing the social representations of gender violence by family members. A qualitative study based upon the Theory of Social Representations. The free word association test was undertaken by 81 relatives of women who suffered gender violence registered in Family Health Units of Jequié, Bahia. The data were submitted to correspondence factorial analysis in the Tri-deux-mots software. The relatives' representation of gender violence is rooted in unequal gender relations observed in the hierarchy of social relations between the man and the women, which legitimizes gender violence. Younger relatives highlighted the sexist attitudes while those aged 40 years and older highlighted the role of women as caregivers. Evangelical relatives emphasized the subordination of women while relatives who follow other religions emphasized the suffering. We emphasize the need to implement actions to address violence considering these representations in the healthcare services.

Coping strategies for domestic violence: Testimony of women involved with drugs

“…14 This situation is based on the uneven construction of gender, which stipulates that men are holders of power and reason, while women must assume a role of passivity and subservience. 4,[14][15][16] It was also noticed that, anchored in the belief of inadequacy of the woman's clothing, the spouse perpetrates violent acts as a way of controlling them, which represents a symbolic and imperceptible violence Dealing with domestic violence Carvalho MRS, Oliveira JF, Gomes NP, Campos LM, Almeida LCG, Santos LR in the female imaginary. 17 Thus, gender asymmetry, which feeds the social beliefs of women being seen as the property of men, "empowers" them to "educate" women even if they have to use violence.…”

“…Considering the social construction of gender, it is necessary to point out that the accountability of the aggression suffered does not necessarily represent an action that objectifies the confrontation of the stressor. 4,10 However, studies with women in situations of violence indicate that this behavior of passivity minimizes exposure to violence, 15,18 since they reduce domestic conflicts. However, this female posture does not annul violence and favors the permanence in the abusive relationship, often in long years of suffering, according to a research conducted with African-American, Caucasian, Latin, and Native American women.…”

“…In this context, the participants tend to use drugs (alcoholic beverages, tobacco derivatives, hypnotic medications, and sedatives) in a process to escape from reality, control the emotions and/or in response to illness due to violence, as pointed out in a study carried out in Brazil, Nigeria, and Italy. 14,15,19 In Folkman and Lazarus' classification, 10 this strategy represents a way for women to seek, by virtue of a stressful event, the self-control of their feelings and actions.…”

“…However, the confrontation may represent more female exposure to more severe forms of violence, including death. 15,17 Given the gravity of this problem, it can be inferred that confrontation and hostility serve as non-pacific strategies for coping with domestic violence. 10 In this perspective, it is necessary to create spaces that promote female reflection on the risks of the coping strategies adopted, as well as peaceful but effective means of negotiating marital conflicts.…”

Surviving Sexual Abuse in Everyday Life: Forms of Resistance Used by Children and Adolescents

“…Moreover, they seek in faith, the vent to strengthen themselves. 27 This research has limitations, considering that the information is related to the geographical context in which it is inserted, which points to the need to develop more extended studies to portray varied social realities which make possible to understand the daily life of women and girls who experience sexual abuse. Thus, in favor of the planning of solidarity care, we highlight the scarcity of studies on sexual abuse with a theoretical-methodological basis in Comprehensive and Everyday Life Sociology.…”