NCJ Number
46164
Journal
Victimology Volume: 2 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (1977-1978) Pages: 479-485
Date Published
1977
Length
7 pages
Annotation
DATA ON WIFE VICTIMIZATION IN DIFFERENT AFRICAN SOCIETIES ARE PRESENTED, AND THE CULTURAL VALUES THAT LEGITIMIZE SPOUSE ABUSE AS A WAY OF RESOLVING CONFLICTS WITHIN THE FAMILY ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
SOME AFRICAN SOCIETIES STRESS THE USE OF VIOLENCE TO SOLVE CRISES, WHILE OTHERS USE LESS VIOLENT MEANS. THE DATA, GATHERED FROM MANY DIFFERENT AREAS OF UGANDA AND PARTS OF KENYA AND NIGERIA, SHOW THAT THE MOST VICTIMIZED PERSON IN THE FAMILY IS THE WIFE. THE DATA ALSO INDICATE THAT MEN PERFORM ACTS OF VIOLENCE MORE OFTEN THAN WOMEN AND THAT, ALTHOUGH MEN RARELY KILL WOMEN, 44.5 PERCENT OF ALL VICTIMS OF ABUSE ARE WIVES. MOST OF THE HOMICIDES ALSO OCCUR IN FAMILIES WHOSE MEMBERS BEGAN QUARRELING SHORTLY AFTER MARRIAGE; THE VERY YOUNG WIVES ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE KILLED THAN THOSE WHO ARE MARRIED FOR 10 OR 15 YEARS. IN SOME SOCIETIES, THE MEN ARE RIDICULED FOR ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST THEIR WIVES, BUT IN OTHERS IT IS AN ACCEPTED PRACTICE IN CASES OF SEXUAL INFIDELITY, FINANCIAL DISPUTES, CHRONIC DRUNKENNESS, OR SUSPICION OF WITCHCRAFT. IN UGANDA, THE VICTIM IS GENERALLY HELD TO BLAME FOR THE ACTS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST HIM OR HER. MOST OF THE CASES OF HOMICIDE AGAINST THE WIFE ARE DUE TO ACTIONS TAKEN BY HER, GENERALLY RELATING TO A THREAT TO THE MALE'S EGO. SEVERAL SPECIFIC INCIDENTS OF WIFE VICTIMIZATION, MAINLY AS A RESULT OF SEXUAL INFIDELITY, ARE CITED. THE AUTHOR POSTULATES THAT AGRESSION IS AN INNATE TRAIT COMMON TO ALL HUMAN BEINGS, THE EXPRESSION OF WHICH IS CONDITIONED BY ENVIRONMENTAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS BEYOND THE INDIVIDUAL'S CONTROL, AND CONCLUDES THAT WOMEN'S LIBERATION WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR THESE UNEDUCATED SOCIETIES. REFERENCE ARE INCLUDED. (BAC)