Citation

Matsushita Y. Bull. Nurs. Coll. Wakayama Med. Univ. 2002; 5: 69-77.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Wakayama Kenritsu Ika Daigaku Kango Tanki Daigakubu)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

All acts of violence are a severe violation of basic human rights. In Japan, not until the year 2001 was the law for "The Prevention of Spousal Violence and Protection of Victims" passed. Gelles and Straus have reported that there are a number of factors that distinguish batter- ed and abused women who stay in an abusive relationship and those who leave. The factors may appear to be complete answers, however in my opinion, they are not justifiable reasons for a woman to stay in an abusive relationship. We must address that there is something hidden from the apparent truth. Why is a woman afraid of becoming a single mother? Why does a woman continue to hope that her husband will change in spite of his continual behavior showing that he is not? Regarding domestic violence, the question to ask is not why women stay in an abusive relationship but why men are being violent toward women. With the Industrial Revolution, set roles of men and women were brought forth. Women have been economically dependent on men. Economical dependence creates psychological dependence. Men have been dominant over women for many years. Reasons not environments induce violence. A man expects a woman to perform the woman's set role such as "being a good mother" which he enforces despite not having respect for what she is doing. The man believes that everything should be done as he, himself, believes it should be within the intimate relationship. He believes that he will gain recognition and respect from others, which will in turn reinforce his own belief of his level of manliness.