Citation

Cordelia K. Aggress. Violent Behav. 2020; 55: e101438.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.avb.2020.101438

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The Vatsonga/Machangana constitute an ethnic group in South Africa, located in the southern part of the African continent. The majority of them continue living according to their Xitsonga culture that has influenced boys' and girls' self-expression of emotions when faced with social disturbances where emotions such as hidden gendered anger are involved. This has negatively influenced their adult life in marriage relationships. With the Modified applied psychoanalytic concepts as a frame of reference, this paper explores the negative effects of anger suppression displayed by both genders in their married life through cultural demands. In a case study of two Xitsonga drama texts Ririmi i Madlayisani by HA Mangwane (1978), and Ndlandlalati ya Malenga by AD Mahatlane (1986), this paper finds that cultural demands based on the suppression of anger impact negatively on the positive expression of anger when social disturbances arise between married couples. This is because societies shy away from speaking about negative emotions fearing shame and embarrassment. Societies have to adapt for the realization of cultural dynamism. Literary texts are available as sources of information and of lessons that members of the society can learn.

Language: en

Keywords

Anger; Culture; Marriage; Revenge; Shame