Dissertation
How Cultural Constructions of Gender Interact with Social Structures to Shape Intimate Partner Violence in the African Immigrant Community in Chicago
Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University
2018
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is at unacceptable levels in the majority of communities around the world, with global figures at about 30% of ever-partnered women having experienced physical or sexual IPV in their lifetime. Prevalence rates in immigrant communities are difficult to measure and often contested. However, we do know that the vulnerability of many women in immigrant communities makes IPV a particular concern. As a relatively new and fast growing immigrant group, the African immigrant community has received little research attention, and is often inappropriately studied within the larger Black American population. Some studies focus on those of particular national or ethnic backgrounds, making generalisation to immigrants from other national or ethnic backgrounds difficult.
Scant research and inadequate understanding of IPV within the African immigrant community leaves limited options for effective prevention. The few studies that had been conducted focused on the changes in gender roles that occur with immigration. Many men lose their breadwinner status upon migration, which affects men’s ability to achieve masculinity. In order to maintain their masculinity, some men resort to violence within the domestic sphere. In order to fill the gaps in the literature, this research aimed to gain a fuller understanding of IPV within the African immigrant community, including the types of IPV that are used and the factors that contribute to men enacting such violence. In particular this research investigates how cultural constructions of gender interact with social structures to shape IPV. While recognising the diversity within this population, this study focused on some of the commonalities that shape IPV within the various African immigrant communities.
This research drew on three theoretical frameworks: ecological framework, intersectionality, and hegemonic and multiple masculinities. The ecological framework was used primarily to structure the many factors that influence IPV. Its limitation is that it does not provide any explanatory models, particularly around the research focus of gender. Intersectionality was used to fill this gap, however its emphasis on power and oppression between genders limited our ability to analyse differences within genders that might be shaping IPV within this community. Therefore, multiple and hegemonic masculinities, which takes into account the use of hegemonic masculinity for men to gain power over women as well as other men, was also employed within this analysis.
Details
- Title
- How Cultural Constructions of Gender Interact with Social Structures to Shape Intimate Partner Violence in the African Immigrant Community in Chicago
- Authors
- Kathryn Wenham - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Public Health
- Contributors
- Bernadette Sebar (Principal Supervisor) - Griffith UniversityNeil Harris (Co-Supervisor) - Griffith UniversityPatricia Chiao-Tzu Lee (Co-Supervisor) - Griffith University
- Awarding institution
- Griffith University
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- DOI
- 10.25904/1912/702
- Handle
- 10072/381099
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991199050702621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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