Analysis of Domestic Violence against Women in Pakistan: Attitudinal Acceptance of Violence and its Associated Risk Factors

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of attitudinal acceptance of violence (AAV) over observed violence (OV), including the impact of five factors on OV. The study aims to identify the impact of acceptance of violence and explore its consequences, if any. The independent variables (IV) in the study are self-esteem (SE), women empowerment (WE), locus of control (LoC), financial income (FI), number of people in the family (FS), and financial stress (FinST). The dependent variable (DV) is observed violence (OV). We are seeing the moderating effect of AAV over OV as well as the impact of IVs over the moderator AAV. Research design: The participants of the study are married women in the age bracket of 18–60 years. The sample size of the study is 205. The data was obtained primarily through an adopted, pre-tested, structured questionnaire.  Data were analyzed using descriptive, correlation, and multiple regression. FinST and SE resulted in statistically significant impacts on OV, whereas there was no moderating impact of AAV among all the factors. Findings: The acceptance of violence by an individual woman differs vastly depending on personal perception, childhood experiences, education level, occupational type, the status of a dependency, and level of self-esteem. Women with high self-esteem are less likely to face violence; similarly, higher financial stress in the family increases the chances of observing violence. Practical Implications: The significance of this study is highlighted by the realization of the need for modification in the attitudinal acceptance of violence through changing Pakistan's educational policy. This study will help raise the bar for women and create awareness that violence should not be accepted.