Cultural Factors and Intimate Partner Violence

When I’m old and getting gray, I’ll only gang-bang once a day.

—Fraternity ditty

This chapter examines the ways in which beliefs about what it means to be a man (masculinity) and what it means to be a woman (femininity) create an environment ripe for intimate partner violence. In addition, this chapter will explore the ways in which there is racial and ethnic variation in beliefs about masculinity and femininity and how this variation shapes the violence that is perpetrated and experienced. This chapter will conclude with insights into the ways in which prevention and intervention programs need to address cultural differences if partner violence is to be reduced in all communities. Objectives

To explicate the dominant constructions of femininity, which are often invisible because of their widespread acceptance and pervasiveness

To explicate the dominant constructions of masculinity, which are often invisible because of their widespread acceptance and pervasiveness

To examine the ways in which cultural constructions of femininity can lead to the acceptance of submissive gender roles for women, which often leaves them vulnerable to IPV

To examine the ways in which cultural constructions of masculinity can lead to the acceptance of male dominance in relationships, which can lead to tolerance for and even expectations of expressions of male violence

To explore the particular case of international abusive marriage migration using the Hmong as an illustration

To provide a set of recommendations for transforming and expanding cultural expectations for men and women so as to broaden gender roles and reduce IPV