Abstract
This study examines the acceptance of spousal abuse among women living in Iraq and tests whether attitudes condoning abuse
are associated with low female empowerment. Of 15,875 married women surveyed, 63 % agreed that a husband is justified in beating
his wife. Women lacking education were 2.3 times more likely to justify this violence than those with secondary education.
Women outside the labor force were 1.4 times more likely than working women to condone this abuse. Attitudes on spousal violence
varied by region and rural/urban status. Female empowerment efforts may help combat spousal violence and change social norms
condoning this behavior.
are associated with low female empowerment. Of 15,875 married women surveyed, 63 % agreed that a husband is justified in beating
his wife. Women lacking education were 2.3 times more likely to justify this violence than those with secondary education.
Women outside the labor force were 1.4 times more likely than working women to condone this abuse. Attitudes on spousal violence
varied by region and rural/urban status. Female empowerment efforts may help combat spousal violence and change social norms
condoning this behavior.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10896-012-9462-0
- Authors
- Natalia Linos, Department of Society, Human Development and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Marwan Khawaja, Center for Research on Population and Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Rachel L. Kaplan, Mack Center on Mental Health and Social Conflict, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Journal Journal of Family Violence
- Online ISSN 1573-2851
- Print ISSN 0885-7482