Domestic Violence in the Latina Community
Domestic violence is an ongoing issue that experienced worldwide. Many of the victims of domestic violence are women. Although women experience domestic violence regardless of culture or societal norms, certain populations may experience a higher incidence of domestic violence than others. Latinas exist in a culture that values male dominance. Such a culture places women as having to serve the man and behave in an obedient and submissive manner. By adhering to these ideas of masculinity and femininity, the imbalance of power can lead to increased occurrence of domestic violence. Although Latinas have made strides in recognizing and fighting domestic violence, many still do not recognize domestic violence when they encounter. This essay aims to help identify why Latinas may not recognize or report domestic violence, why domestic violence occurs in the Latina community, and greater recognition of domestic violence amongst Latinas.
In "Prevalence, Perpetrators, and Characteristics of Witnessing Parental Violence and Adult Dating in Latina, East Asian, South Asian, and Middle Eastern Women" researchers identify what may make certain populations of women more vulnerable to domestic violence. Latinas for example, live in cultures that honor machismo attitudes among males. Moreover, in those societies, Latin women are expected to be submissive and obedient because the male is the head of the household and produces most if not all the income. Such hypermasculinity can lead to justification of inequality and violence due to the male's need to maintain such a power imbalance. "Traditional gender roles, with males being identified as dominant and powerful and females being identified as sacrificing, suffering, and accepting, may further promote the utilization of family violence to preserve the honor and structure of the family unit. (Maker and DeRoon-Cassini 635)
Women in Latin cultures often face extreme criticism from peers if they deviate from the expected norms. For example, women in Latin countries are expected to cook and clean the house. Even when Latinas move to a different setting like the United States, that role must still be fulfilled. The researchers note the enforcement of domestic spheres across various ethnic populations. When women deviate from these domestic spheres, the imbalance generated may create a need in the man to correct it to restore order. Hence why domestic violence may occur amongst Latina populations.
In looking at the occurrence of domestic violence itself among Latinas, perception plays an important role. Another article titled: "Examining the Relationship Between Latina's Perceptions About What Constitutes Domestic Violence and Domestic Violence Victimization" discusses such perceptions and tries to provide a better perspective on domestic violence and the mindsets often accompanied in these scenarios. The article opens with a statistic of one in four Latinas in the United States experiencing domestic violence. Such numbers appear higher than white female American populations suggesting the problem could be due to culture.
Aside from the statistics of increased depression, substance abuse, and physical...
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