South African university women's perspectives on intimate partner violence: a qualitative study of reactions to a tailored vignette

Ross, Christina; Smith, Jessica Gomez; Manenzhe, Tovhowani; Netshiongolwe, Rabelani; Johnson, Terrence; Caldwell, Angela; Maphula, Angelina; Ingersoll, Karen S.

doi:10.1080/13691058.2021.1970813

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 23 publications

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“…However, vignettes in which the characters confront relatable GBV dilemmas in familiar situations made it easier for young people to open up about more personal opinions and experiences. The impersonality of fictional characters in the vignettes allowed participants to feel comfortable when discussing sensitive issues (Ross et al, 2021) and to some extent avoided social desirability in their responses, revealing contradictory perspectives that give rise to the so-called grey zones (Card, 1999; Levi, 1988). The concept of a grey zone has served as an analytical tool to identify ambivalent discursive sites in order to understand how gender roles, violence, power, and reduced human agency mutually articulate (Acevedo, 2021; Baines, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I Reject it, But That’s What Normally Happens”: Grey Zones of Gender-Based Violence and Gender Roles in Young People

Cerdán-Torregrosa

Nardini

Vives‐Cases

2023

J Interpers Violence

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There has been growing concern about the increase in gender-based violence (GBV) among young people. The aim of this study was to explore the grey zones in GBV alongside gender (masculinities and femininities) discourses in young adults. We used the concept of a “grey zone” as an analytical tool to identify possible contradictory discursive positions where the notions of victims and perpetrators of GBV converge and become ambiguous. We performed a qualitative study based on 20 semi-structured interviews and 4 focus groups (October 2019 to February 2020) in Spain with a sample of 49 cisgender women and men, aged between 18 and 24, some involved in feminist activism and some not. We conducted a sociological analysis of the discourse system. Study findings show how culturally constructed gender norms intervene in the ways in which young people understand and deal with GBV. When asked general questions about GBV, this concept was problematized along with gender assumptions and two discursive positions were identified: the discourse of “men as authors of GBV” and the discourse of “GBV as an individual genderless issue.” When vignettes of everyday GBV situations were shown, grey zones became visible when discussing subtle forms of GBV influenced by the myths of romantic love, victim-blaming around sexual violence, digital GBV and bystander men intervention on GBV. In those grey zones, discourses on GBV were articulated around unequal notions of gender that, in turn, served as its justification, reproduction, and normalization. The grey zones identified represent contexts of oppression that illustrate how GBV is systematically reproduced, as well as the ways in which young people can be involved in it, perpetuating power and health inequalities. Our findings provide information as a guide to design GBV interventions and prevention actions that incorporate a focus on gender configurations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I Reject it, But That’s What Normally Happens”: Grey Zones of Gender-Based Violence and Gender Roles in Young People

Cerdán-Torregrosa

Nardini

Vives‐Cases

2023

J Interpers Violence

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Multilevel determinants of physical violence among ever-partnered women in South Africa

Puoeng,

Tsawe

2024

Arch Womens Ment Health

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Background Violence against women continues to be a challenge in many countries. Many women suffer physical violence at the hands of their intimate partners and sometimes this leads to their deaths. This study aimed to examine the multilevel determinants of physical violence among ever-partnered women in South Africa. Methods We used data from the 2016 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey. The study has a weighted sample size of 4169 ever-partnered women aged 18–49 years, based on the domestic violence module. We included univariate, bivariate and multilevel logistic regression analysis. We included a two-level model to measure the relationship between the selected background characteristics and physical violence. Results The prevalence of physical violence among ever-partnered women was 20.6%. The bivariate findings showed that educational status, employment status, witness to inter-parental violence, partner’s drinking habits, household wealth, educational difference, and province were statistically associated with physical violence. The multilevel analysis showed some evidence of between-cluster variation in physical violence. We found that age, education, employment status, witness to inter-parental violence, partner’s drinking habits, household wealth, education difference, place of residence, and province were key predictors of physical violence. The odds of physical violence were more than two-fold in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga compared to Gauteng. Conclusion The study highlighted various key factors explaining physical violence. The findings suggest the need for targeted interventions aimed at specific communities of women, such as those from the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga, as well as interventions that will empower women and address gender inequalities.

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A Phenomenological Study of Perpetrator–Survivor Accounts of Intimate Partner Violence among University Students in South Africa

Oyedemi,

Rabothata

2023

SAJSWSD

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South Africa has one of the highest rates of intimate partner violence and femicide in the world. Studies have indicated that poverty and illiteracy contribute to intimate partner violence, and that higher levels of education reduce the rate of intimate partner violence. Considering the role of illiteracy and higher education in the occurrence of intimate partner violence, the aim of this study is to examine why youths at a university perpetrate intimate partner violence and to explore the experiences of survivors of intimate partner violence at a specific institution. Through a phenomenological design influenced by a narrative communication paradigm, in the study, we used face-to-face interviews to explore the opinions and experiences of university students who were perpetrators and survivors of intimate partner violence. The findings indicate that educated youths are not extraneous to a culture of normalisation of violence as a result of male cultural socialisation, expectation of dominance of power, women’s vulnerability and acquiescence. These often result in fatal consequences that describe the prevalence of intimate partner violence in South Africa. We recommend social literacy about violence, gender equality, women’s right and effective legal recourse.

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South African university women's perspectives on intimate partner violence: a qualitative study of reactions to a tailored vignette

Cited by 4 publications

References 23 publications

“I Reject it, But That’s What Normally Happens”: Grey Zones of Gender-Based Violence and Gender Roles in Young People

“I Reject it, But That’s What Normally Happens”: Grey Zones of Gender-Based Violence and Gender Roles in Young People

Multilevel determinants of physical violence among ever-partnered women in South Africa

A Phenomenological Study of Perpetrator–Survivor Accounts of Intimate Partner Violence among University Students in South Africa

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