Examining The Relationshıp Between Violence Against Women And Religious Worldviews

Abstract

Introduction Women are the most important members of the family. Therefore, violence against women in the family affects not only the women but also the whole society. An individual socializes in a family and learns behaviors in the family. According to Social Role Theory, children observe the roles of men and women in the family and learn the appropriate roles for men and women in the society (Eagly, 1987)(1). Violence against women is a public health problem and is recognized as a human rights violation worldwide (Krantz & Garcia-Moreno, 2005)(2). Violence against women is a serious human rights violation which has physical, psychological, emotional and social consequences. This is also both a reason and a result of gender inequality. It is based historically on unequal power relations between men and women. Violence against women is generally supported by social and cultural values, structures and applications (Office of the United Nations, 2014)(3). In our country violence against women is one of the hottest topics in the agenda. We can be exposed to news related to violence via television, internet or radio in our everyday lifes. Violence against women includes a number of abuses throughout women's lives (Krantz & Garcia-Moreno, 2005)(4). This kind of violence is a socio-cultural problem which makes women dependent, decreases self-esteem and distorts both physical and mental health (T.C. Prime Ministry General Directorate of the Status of Women, 2009)(5). According to literature, there are various forms of violence against women. These can be listed as follows; (a) physical violence, (b) psychological violence, (c) sexual violence and (d) economic violence (Karal & Aydemir, 2012)(6). This study focused on physical violence. Physical violence is defined as (a) slapping or throwing to harm, (b) pushing and pulling hair, (c) hitting with a punch or something to harm, (d) dragging, beating, kicking or throwing, (e) threatening with a knife or a gun (Fanslow, Gulliver, Dixon & Ayallo, 2015)(7). Religion as a belief includes ideas, values, attitudes and perspectives. In practice religion constitutes individual and social expressions of religious worldviews as piety, ritual, ceremony and religious practice (Call, 2012)(8). The importance and prevalence of religious worldviews in developing and developed countries requires to investigate how religion has an impact on individuals, communities and societies to create a sense about the world (Deneulin & Rakodi, 2011)(9). In this study, the relationship between physical violence against women in marriage and religious worldviews is examined. Methods Participants A total of 207 vocational college students of a state university from Middle Anatolian region voluntarily participated to the study. 32,9% of the participants are men and 67,1% are women. Most of the participants' average family income level is low (50,75%), The percentage of middle income level is 35,68% and high income level is 13,57%. Data Collection Tools Data of the study was collected with the help of 'Attitudes towards Physical Violence against Women in Marriage Scale' and 'Religious Worldviews Scale'. Data Analysis Quantitative analyses methods (means, percentages, correlations, t-test and ANOVA) were used in analyzing the data. Findings Findings showed that participants' attitudes towards violence scores (for legitimizing the violence (X) over bar = 1,97; for perceived benefit of the violence (X) over bar =1,54; for results of the violence (X) over bar = 2,26) are under the mean score and religious worldview scores ((X) over bar = 3,98) are above the mean score. The answers of the participants for the question 'Have you ever been exposed to violence?' is as follows; 15,20% of the participants answer this question as yes and 84,80% answer as no. Physical violence against women in marriage score of men are significantly higher than women (for legitimizing the violence t=-11,111, p<,05; for perceived benefit of the violence t= -8,057, p<,05; for results of the violence t=-6,171, p<,05). In addition to these results, there is a statistically significant relationship between physical violence against women and religious worldviews (r=,163, p<,05). There is a statistically significant difference between income level of the family of respondents and legitimizing of the violence (F=3,967, p<,05). Discussion and Conclusion In this study, the effect of religious worldviews on physical violence against women during marriage was investigated. Participants' attitudes towards violence scores (for legitimizing the violence <(X)over bar>=1,97; for perceived benefit of the violence (X) over bar =1,54; for results of the violence.(X) over bar =2,26) are under the mean score. This means that participants have a negative attitude towards violence against women during marriage. These results are parallel with the study of Bulut (2015)(10) and Ercan (2009(11)). There is a statistically significant relationship between physical violence against women and religious worldviews (r=-,163, p<,05). In other words, participants with higher scores on religious worldviews, have a negative attitude towards violence against women during marriage. There is also a statistically significant difference between the dimensions of violence and gender of the participants. In all dimensions men have higher scores than women. This is consistent with other researches (Baykal, 2008(12); Bhanot & Senn, 2007(13); Bulut, 2015(14); Ercan, 2009(15); Kula, 2009(16); Sakalli-Ugurlu & Ulu, 2003(17); Senol & Yildiz, 2013(18)). As a conclusion, with misinterpretation of patriarchal social norms and religious worldviews, men practice violence against women. Related institutions can organize training in this subject and can inform the society. Women are one of the most important members of the society. They are the basis of the family. Therefore for healthy, happy and successful generation, we must stop the violence against women.