Domestic Violence as a Human Rights Issue: The Case of Immigrant Latinos

Abstract

Using the writings of the late social psychologist Ignacio Martín-Baró and other Latin American and Latino social scientists as a framework, this article examines the issue of domestic violence from a human rights perspective. As suggested by these writers, the antecedents, dynamics, and effects of domestic abuse are explored, bringing to bear the historical, philosophical, cultural, social, spiritual, and political realities of Latino immigrants in the United States. From this ecological perspective, universal and culture-specific elements of this phenomenon are considered. Finally, Freire’s idea of concientización (consciousness) is used to delineate levels of awareness and responsibility necessary to break the intergenerational transmission of domestic violence in this population.

Exploring Battered Mexican-Origin Women's Help-Seeking Within Their Sociocultural Contexts

“…Indeed, some researchers suggest that the childhood socialization of Latinas, the message that marriage is of utmost importance and is essential to identity, and the expectation that women should be submissive, may all increase the frequency and severity of intimate partner violence among Latino couples and augment women's tolerance of abuse (Perilla, 1999). Champion (1996) found that the abused Mexican American women in her sample were more traditional regarding gender role expectations than non-abused women.…”

“…Also, because of machismo, male sexual jealousy may be viewed as a legitimate reason to abuse one's wife (Morash et al, 2000;Perilla, 1999).…”

“…According to theory and research, culturally influenced gender roles, scripts, and values may significantly impact abused Latinas' (Bauer et al, 2000;Flores-Ortiz, 1994;Kanuha, 1994;King et. al, 1993;Martinez-Garcia, 1988;Perilla, 1999;Vera, 2002;Zambrano, 1985) and Mexican American women's (Avecedo, 2000;Morash, Bui, & Santiago, 2000;Sorenson, 1996;Torres, 1991) responses to abuse. Certain Latino cultural characteristics are thought to create a climate that facilitates and maintains female intimate partner abuse among Latino couples.…”

“…Moreover, Latina girls are taught from an early age that marriage is of utmost importance and is essential to identity (Perilla, 1999). Within the traditional Mexican family, the father is the main provider, protector, and authority figure, while the mother is in charge of caring for the children, supporting her husband under all circumstances, and keeping the family together (Lichter & Landale, 1995;Lijtamer, 1998;Perilla, 1999;Santiago-Rivera et al, 2002). The result of such familial expectations for women and work prescriptions for men can lead to economic control for men and reduced options for women (Raj & Silverman, 2002).…”

Towards a Really Social Psychology: Liberation Psychology Beyond Latin America

“…To these may be added approaches in North America, especially those that have focussed on work with populations who owe their presence to past and present imperialisms (African USAmericans, Latinos) and native North Americans (e.g. Perilla, 1999 Harnessing of university resources to promote work on things that matter to people and groups from these areas.…”