An inquiry into the phenomenon of spousal violence: an ethical perspective

Abstract

Spousal violence is a manifestation of violence evident in the wider society. Spousal violence is a global phenomenon and has persisted since time immemorial. Its impact has been felt everywhere and has been highlighted in the media, conferences, seminars and other fora. Despite its negative effects in society in both magnitude and form, the practice persists. There is need, therefore to inquire into this phenomenon of violence in order to understand why it persistently occurs despite its adverse consequences and efforts to eradicate it. Information on the practice of violence in general and spousal violence in particular is available in books, journals, magazines and daily newspapers. These documentary evidences highlight the causes, methods and consequences of spousal violence. The study focuses on understanding and analyzing this information from an ethical perspective with a view to minimizing the practice. Spousal violence is viewed as the ultimate expression of male and/or female dominance in families. The social and cultural construction of gender ensures unequal power relationship between males and females giving rise to violence within families. Personality disorders among other factors as well play a role in perpetuating spousal violence. The study hypothesizes that socio-cultural gender construction of males and females is one of the determining factors for the practice of spousal violence. Theories of human nature as well as "self' -"other" theories propagate this view; hence justify the male or female supremacy over the other. One of the major findings of this study is that the causes and methods used in spousal violence are clear indications of gender inequality and unequal power relations between men and women who are both perpetrators and victims. Spousal violence is practiced by both husbands and wives despite the fact that most studies and available literature on spousal violence are gender biased in that they focus mostly on violence against wives or women. Unequal gender relationship is analyzed from an ethical point of view using various ethical theories. These include teleological and deontological ethical theories as well feminist ethical theories. These ethical theories are used as a guide to analyze the factors of dominance and subordination that lead to spousal violence from an ethical point of view. The study recommends a societal change of heart or a paradigm shift, which aims at bringing harmony and peace in society. This can be possible if relationships of dominance, control and power are replaced with those that have a rational and ethical basis. These are relations