Domestic Violence Against Women - Dissertation Example

Where the nature of violence is most often clearly divided between a victim and an aggressor, the concept of gender relationships provides a more complicated context in which to discuss the events of violence. The following study has been designed through qualitative research. The research is intended to reflect more meaning than might be found through quantitative research with deeper meanings emerging through conversational style interviews with five participants. Through these interviews, an understanding of the discourse about the topic emerged.

The nature of gender relations has changed dramatically in the last fifty years which has framed the dialogue about violence against women in a different context than it was considered in previous time periods. The state of the female status has evolved from a sense of property to a sense of autonomy, the objectification of femaleness made subjective, part of the public sphere, and relevant to all aspects of life. In being subjective, the nature of the female present is many things, her situated presence manifesting a number of roles that are both defined by the concept of female, and some by the concept of human.

More rarely, she is the subject of male identity, her presence part of the discourse of gender role identification that is now virtually all interchangeable. However, this has not discounted the vulnerability of being female, her sex providing violent access that males are not as vulnerable to in the context of domestic life. The domination of the male, his need to express his maleness through subjugating others in the domestic sphere, has led to violent outbursts that intend to define that dominance.

When no other recourse seems available, some men will reduce their ability to convince into an act of violence, manifesting their dominance through pain and oppression. The threat of further action brings the female into line, her life reduced to self-protection and in protecting other aspects of their life including children, reputation, and the appearance of tranquility.