1.7 Difficulties encountered
Like any research, this research project about the beliefs and
attitudes of South Kivu men towards domestic violence could not be conducted
without difficulties.
Among the teething troubles the researcher encountered during
this research was time shortage. In fact, if there was more time allocated to
this research project, the researcher would organise many focus group and
in-depth discussions in different areas and with more individuals than he
currently did, which would enrich the data to this research. But the researcher
had to abide to the university allocated time regarding dissertation
writing.
The other problem the researcher faced was that some
respondents' opinions were not clear enough. This situation could generate
difficulties for him to better interpret their views. Ultimately, this obliged
him to meet them after the interview in order to get common understanding of
the information that was provided in an unclear way.
And finally, some of the respondents would be absent the day of
the interview, which made it a bit difficult to organise.
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ON DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE
2.1 Introduction
Literature review, according to Terre Blanche and Durrheim
(1999:79), helps to integrate the results of previous researches on a topic.
Therefore, this section provides the literature on domestic violence towards
women. Nevertheless, it also overviews violence in general and tackles the
different forms, causes, damages and the culture of domestic abuse. It
discusses its prevalence and finally, it details the link between power,
masculinity and GBV.
2.2 Overview on violence
Violence is a premeditated response an individual chooses to
bring to a problem. It includes various aspects such as domestic violence,
cultural cleansing, political violence and environment devastation (Harris,
2008:2). The full understanding of how these factors interplay with violence
can help move toward its reduction in society (Krug et al., 2002:346). When
facing a contentious situation, many people choose to be violent. The use of
force refers to tangible and sometimes presaged physical or psychological harm
to the other (Frieze and Browne, 1999:32).
Violence is prevalent because several traditions and cultures
support male's beliefs and attitudes of violence, as commented by Kent
(1993:102). In addition, Harris and Lewis (1999:32) state that the
proliferation of violence stems from social, political and economic
compositions in an area that neglects it.
Violence has many forms; it ranges from macro level where
government makes people suffer in different ways. This is referred to as
structural violence: the `quiet process, working slowly in the way of misery in
general and hunger in particular, erodes and finally kills human beings'
(Galtung, 1990:145).
Another example is GBV. This kind of violence can be
perpetrated by a sex on the other; thus both men and women can be victims
(Arias and Pape, 1993:33). Generally, gender inequality causes men to abuse
women and girls without fear as the latter are considered as `objects'
(Ewing, 2003:74). However, occasionally, women also abuse
family members by revenge. For instance, violent women have caused awful
injuries to their victims by burning, biting or cutting them with a sharp tool
and at times they refuse food to children and husbands (Nangolo and Peltzer,
2003:34).
Physical assault is another illustration of violence. This is
the acute form or abusive stage of violence, as argued by Nangolo and Peltzer
(2003:37). In this form of violence, serious bodily injuries are inflicted to
the victim.
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