A man should be strong and aggressive, and a woman – submissive and patient? It is no secret that such stringent requirements lead to many problems. New research sheds light on how to change these kinds of societal norms that can lead to gender-based violence.
Gender-based violence affects the physical and mental health of girls and boys, men and women around the world. Gender inequality is associated not only with domestic violence, but also with promiscuity among men, smoking and alcohol abuse. All this, in turn, leads to health problems. Rigid beliefs about masculinity and femininity can contribute to sex coercion.
“If society expects men to be dominant and aggressive and women to be passive, then it’s supposed to be okay to force women to have sex. Boys who do not behave aggressively may be teased and humiliated. At the same time, they often do not have before their eyes role models in which men protect and support girls and women, ”says Rebeca Lundgren, head of the study, a specialist at the Institute of Reproductive Health at Georgetown University.
She believes that it is necessary that people talk about these problems and discuss social norms in families, schools, among peers. It is important to find alternative ways to express masculinity and femininity, which can lead to strong and healthy relationships.
The need to understand gender norms and their relationship to violence is not limited to any one region or country
“The transformation of gender roles lays the foundation for respectful relationships. This process should start at an early age, and can continue throughout life, says Lundgren. “Ideally, the desire for change should come from parents and grandparents. They should consider what children are being taught when they say that boys should be “big and strong” and girls should be “caring and gentle.”
Rigid standards should be a thing of the past. Traditional beliefs often harm both men and women. It is believed that “real men” should earn a lot and provide for their families, and if they cannot do this, they are not “real” enough. Because men are under strong pressure. Women, on the other hand, are required to maintain harmony in the family, even if it comes at the cost of tolerance for violence.
Lundgren and study co-author Melissa K. Adams believe that in order to prevent violence, it is necessary to set ourselves the global task of transforming the standards of society. It is necessary to advocate for new models of masculinity and femininity. This will create an environment that is intolerant of violence.
Lundgren says public campaigns and programs that reach out to both boys and girls are more likely to succeed than trying to reach only one gender.
In their study, Lundgren and Adams conducted a study in post-war Northern Uganda, where rates of gender-based violence, sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancies are very high.
They spoke to men, women and children returning to their homes, where the war had been going on for two decades. Social and cultural upheavals have effectively legitimized domestic violence. However, these people told the researchers that they wanted to change cultural traditions and overcome gender inequality.
Lundgren emphasizes that understanding how gender norms are related to violence is a challenge for people around the world.
“Communities need to be helped move towards gender equality. This is an extremely important step in preventing domestic violence. To do this, you need to respect and recognize the value of each person, ”says the author.