Masculinity And Crime: Quantitative Exploration

Domestic violence

Discuss about the Masculinity and Crime : Quantitative Exploration .

Intimate partner violence is the major issue at global level. In Canada, almost in every 6 days one woman is killed by her intimate partner, and in 2009 almost 67 women’s were killed by their intimate partners. 54 % girls aged between 15 and 19 suffer sexual coercion during their dating relationship, and women aged between 25 and 34 are the victims of physical and sexual assault by their intimate partners as compared to women age 45 and more (BWSS, n.d.). However, through feminism and other movements related to women led to improvement in situations of women and perceptions of society is also changing towards them. After reviewing the latest articles on domestic violence and victimization through intimate partners, two approaches are developed and discussed in this paper. First approach is related to violence against women and men, its causes and impacts. Second approach is related to power, control and cycle of domestic violence.  

In this paper, we discuss the concept of the social construction of either masculinity or femininity as it pertains to domestic violence, and correlation between social construction of masculinity or femininity and domestic violence.

Domestic violence means any violence which is based on gender and results in or may be result in physical harm, mental harm or any other type of problem to women and also includes coercion, arbitrary deprivation of women’s liberty.

In 2010, there were almost 102500 victims of domestic violence caused by intimate partners are identified, and it also includes spousal violence and dating violence. This translates the rate of 363 per 100,000, and number of victims of intimate partner violence is more than the percentage of violence against child happens in family. Victims of violence occurred during dating is higher in number than the victims of spousal violence. Report stated by police shows female victims are more in case of intimate partner violence (Sinha, 2012).

In 2013, almost 336000 peoples are victim of family violence, and among those almost 27% peoples are victimized by their intimate partners. 53% people were victim of domestic violence and 47% people were victim of spousal violence. There are some situations in which relationship between two is end but that does not end to the threat of violence. Report shows that almost 33% victims related to intimate partner violence were attacked by their former spouse or dating partner, and almost two third victims related to violence were threatened by their current partner (Juristat, 2015).

Social construction of Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence cursing our society from many years, and the basic question is why there are number of abusive relationship exists in our society. The answer to this question is control, because of the factors contributing by men to their masculinity which results in abusive relationship and violence. There are number of situations when men don’t have any control over their partners which make them feel that their masculinity is threatened which led to violence against their partner. Men’s always want to be in power whether at their work place, home or any other place, and only way they see to get that power is their tough, strong or masculine behavior.

Many theories stated that masculinity and violence are connected with each other. Some scholars stated that masculine violence is usually related to how badly males influenced the mind of the society, and masculinity is considered as symptoms of gender specialization. No matter whether violence involves masculine frustration or masculine socialization, there is no way to separate the masculinity from violence against women. Aggression and violence both are the result of masculinity and no matter what it affects the everyday life of person (Omar, 2011).

There are number of evidence which support the fact that masculinity and femininity are constructed in different ways and these ways are based on the social conditions. According to James Messerschmidt, masculinity is malleable traits which are constructed in daily relationships with other peoples. He also stated that violence against women is also considered as resource to construct masculinity in society. Usually, men’s apply different forms of violence which are based on resources available to them for achieving their gender. Different ideologies are developed over time which depends on structure of societies. These ideologies explain the different types of abuse used by men and they also stated the reasons why men are not abusive (Totten, 2003).

The ultimate cause of violence against women is patriarchy, and from last few years’ domestic violence was studies by many scholars and they conduct detail research on this topic. During the period 1960-1970 when feminism introduced, then number of scholars assessed the history of feminism, impact of misogyny, and gender inequality in different situations of life. This will result in publication of first work on violence in 1970s. After analyzing the various reviews it is clear that patriarchy is the ultimate cause of all violence against the women, and it is also noticed by scholars that patriarchy is the only social factor which led to violence against women. Violence against women is based on the terms of power struggle. Feminist scholars argued that in society males have all those powers and males choose the way of violence whenever their power is threatened.  

Masculinity and violence

Therefore, this concept of feminism on women violence is correct, and many articles related to feminist stated that “violence against women is a result of patriarchy society, and also the attempts made by society to maintain the male dominance in the home as well as in society” (Tracy, 2007)

GBV is basically an approach of an unequal society and it also restricts the aim of achieving society in which there is no gender discrimination. This concept is followed and encouraged by patriarchal structure of society, and it also encourages the other discrimination in the society which includes racism, colonialism, and poverty. These practices of discrimination encourage the power imbalances, and increase the chances of victimization. This approach also acts as barrier for accessing supports.  

GBV gets its support from gender stereotypes which support the rigid practices of gender roles. Basically, it defines the definition of being men and being women, and it also stated who should be attracted to whom and romantic and normal relations. GBV also encourage the attitude which results in violence against women and girls. In 2014, more women’s are victimized as compared to men. According to police report women’s are victimized 11 times more as compared to men., and girls are victimized 4 times more than boys (Status of women Canada, n.d.).

In 1987, West and Zimmerman provides the idea of “doing Gender”. They define the concept of gender as a routine accomplishment that is created and maintained with the help of everyday interaction. In this author identify those practices which show that masculinity is directly linked to criminal behavior. Author further stated that masculinity is not something that happens to men but it is something that men’s do. There are number of practices and patterns which exist in society and represent the masculinity. Therefore, it is clear from above arguments that if non criminal resources are not available then criminal and alternative resources are used by men to achieve masculine gender (Krienert, 2003).

Conclusion:

In this paper we discuss the theory related to masculinity and femininity, and also the affect of these theories on society. After reviewing the articles from different authors it is clear that these approaches play important role in defining the gender. Gender based violence is basically encouraged by the person’s who support the rigid practices of gender which led to violence against women and girls. It is clear that if men’s are not able to achieve the masculine gender from normal resources then they opt for criminal resources and other alternative resources. At last, we conclude that construction of our society is done in such a way which constantly encourages the masculine and feminism behavior of men’s and women’s respectively.

References:

BWSS. The facts on violence against women. Retrieved on 20^th January 2017 from: https://www.bwss.org/resources/information-on-abuse/numbers-are-people-too/.

Juristat, (2015). Family violence in Canada: A statistical profile, 2013. Retrieved on 20^th January 2017 from: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2014001/article/14114-eng.pdf.

Krienert, L. J. (2003). Masculinity and Crime: A Quantitative Exploration of Messerschmidt’s Hypothesis. Retrieved on 20^th January 2017 from: https://www.sociology.org/content/vol7.2/01_krienert.html.

Omar, A. (2011). Masculinity and the acceptance of violence: a study of social construction. Retrieved on 20^th January 2017 from: https://ir.uiowa.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2433&context=etd.

Sinha, M. (2012). Family violence in Canada: A statistical profile, 2010. Retrieved on 20^th January 2017 from: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2012001/article/11643-eng.pdf.

Status of women Canada. Setting the Stage for a Federal Strategy Against Gender-Based Violence. Retrieved on 20^th January 2017 from: https://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/violence/strategy-strategie/engagement-en.html.

Totten, M. (2003). Girlfriend Abuse as a Form of Masculinity Construction among Violent, Marginal Male Youth. Retrieved on 20^th January 2017 from: https://www.tottenandassociates.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mark-Totten-Men-and-Masculinities-article-2003.pdf.

Tracy, R. S. (2007). Patriarchy and domestic violence: Challenging common misconceptions. Retrieved on 20^th January 2017 from: https://www.livingwellcc.com/images/Patriarchy_and_Domestic_Violence.pdf.