Feminism and Domestic Violence: Understanding the Root Causes and Solutions

This essay explores the feminist ideals and views on domestic violence against women, delving into the root causes and solutions to the issue. The readings provide a deeper understanding of the various factors associated with violence against women in society, and the essay focuses on necessary revolts and movements against violence.

Running head: FEMINISM AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Feminism and Domestic Violence
Name of the Student:
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Author Note:

1FEMINISM AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Lenze, J. and Klasen, S., 2017. Does women’s labor force participation reduce domestic
violence? Evidence from Jordan. Feminist Economics, 23(1), pp.1-29.
This journal is fundamental in the study of domestic violence from the perspective of
liberal and radical feminist perspectives and assessing their viewpoints and solutions on the
pertinent crisis. On a deeper analysis of domestic violence one can easily comprehend how
the systematic crime against women is intrinsically inter-related with gender discrimination,
assigned gender roles and reinforce of gender roles by mainstream society.
This article is relevant for the essay in understanding how domestic violence and
female subjugation can only be abolished from the society when society forgoes stereotypical
gender roles and constructs that are the root cause of violence and humility on the female
population.
Pain, R., 2014. Everyday terrorism: Connecting domestic violence and global
terrorism. Progress in Human Geography, 38(4), pp.531-550.
This article contains useful information regarding different campaigns have been led
to protest against every form of domestic violence that is planted within the society.
However, these campaigns fail to address the sexist ideas that have made deep penetration
into the societies. Two different branches of feminism liberal and radical, have made
innumerable efforts to purge the society of these conceptions and ideas so that one can hope
for a cultural shift, where women are not portrayed as biologically frail creatures.
It is relevant to my topic in understanding how domestic violence against women not
only involves violence inflicted by husband or spouses but also the male and female family
members of the society. It states how patriarchy is the root cause of domestic violence to
eradicate which different feminist theories have acquired different perspectives

2FEMINISM AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Ferguson, S., LeBaron, G., Dimitrakaki, A. and Farris, S.R., 2016. Introduction. Historical
Materialism, 24(2), pp.25-37.
This article states that theoretical perspectives view domestic violence as a result of
deficits in skills or ego in coping up skills mainly with anger or inadequate communication.
Often domestic violence is normalized implying that men have inborn right to and inflicting
pain, the rate of normalization varies from one culture to the other. Feminist approached tend
to challenge the social acceptance of domestic violence, accepting that men are meant to be
sexually aggressive and violent in nature.
It is relevant to my topic as it portrays how in domestic violence women are generally
portrayed as the vulnerable, helpless creatures and these ideas become so intrinsically
associated with the victims that they fail to stand up to voice their protests.
Vasilaki, R., 2016. The politics of postsecular feminism. Theory, Culture & Society, 33(2),
pp.103-123.
The article provides perspectives on feminism and theories are created for the purpose
on reflecting on gender inequality and female subjugation that tend to become commonplace
in society. Domestic violence demonstrates the large-scale victimization of women which
mainly stems from a dysfunctional interactional pattern between the male and female.
According to liberal feminist theory it claims that there are no biological reasons amounting
to the superiority of men over women. Liberal feminism is mainly influenced by the eminent
personalities like Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill and John Rawls One of the many goals of
liberal feminists is to claim for a platform where men and women share equal opportunities
and rights.

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It is relevant to my topic because it has passages on how feminists have tried to
eradicate blatant gender discrimination, unequal wage distribution, establish anti-
discrimination legislation and concurrently address the gender stereotyping. Liberal feminists
have fought for the creation of a liberal state where one can establish equal rights for men and
women as a first step towards abolishing domestic crime and violence.
Rottenberg, C., 2014. The rise of neoliberal feminism. Cultural studies, 28(3), pp.418-437.
This liberty would assure political and personal autonomy which means the authority
of leading the life according to their own will. Political autonomy would mean equal access
in the political sphere without gender biasness and unjust discrimination. According to liberal
feminist domestic violence can only stop when women are made to flourish, express their
choices and will without any fear and gain a solid ground beneath their feet. Furthermore they
should also be invested with the right to voice their concerns in the matters of reproduction,
abortion and sex.
It is relevant to my topic because it is concise overview about liberal feminism theory
and their demand for a just state that can assure equal amount for freedom for every
individual irrespective of their gender construct.
Schuster, J., 2016, September. Intersectional expectations: Young feminists' perceived failure
at dealing with differences and their retreat to individualism. In Women's Studies
International Forum (Vol. 58, pp. 1-8). Pergamon.
This article writes about the radical and liberal feminists were both united in
demanding state support services and judicial interference in fighting crime and violence
against women. radical feminists argue that male dominance is the product of a capitalist
society and that the state authority and power mainly recline on the male figures of power and

4FEMINISM AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
authority and Domestic violence against women is an act of gender based violence and one of
the aims of liberal feminists is to demonstrate the extent of discrimination that still exists in
the society.
It is relevant to my topic because it helps in understanding the systematic dominance
in a patriarchal society where violence is nothing more than the epitome of sexism and
mobilized crime against women.
Eichhorn, K., 2014. The archival turn in feminism: Outrage in order. Afterimage, 42(2), p.33.
This article enumerated on radical feminism is in unison in viewing domestic violence
as a consequence of male domination on woman which is further supported by an essentially
flawed social structure and gender based stereotypes. They tend to uphold the belief that in
such a state liberty is a bourgeoisie concept and want to see as many women figures as
possible in the upper hierarchy of power.
It is relevant to my topic since it facilitates a deep understanding on how radical
feminists have long striven to redefine a woman’s place in a society that constructs rules and
norms based on the sexual difference of people. Explains how society needs to change the
core beliefs that they have acquired against men and women, socio-political powers and
social order that accepts the subtle or blatant working of patriarchy.
Evans, E. and Chamberlain, P., 2015. Critical waves: Exploring feminist identity, discourse
and praxis in western feminism. Social Movement Studies, 14(4), pp.396-409.
This article claims that radical theories involve the basic psychological and behavioral
differences that one can often experience in between men and women is a consequence of
inherent patriarchal culture and the ultimate liberation of women would result only if women
are freed from the social construct that portrays a shallow idea of feminine values. The social

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creation of eternal feminine in the words of Simon de Beauvoir elaborates that the general
behaviors that one associates with female beings are just constructed notions.
It is relevant to my topic as it details on how domestic violence results when people
are confined within their own constructed ideas regarding women like social chores,
breastfeeding and child rearing. The infliction of violence by men comes from the conviction
that women are essentially weak creatures owing to their gender and therefore justifies the act
of violence.
Essay Outline
Gender inequality is an issue that is relevant in the modern era. It has been a common
instance to witness the news of gender inequality and domestic violence. Based on the
readings, the essay will look to delve into a deeper understanding of the various factors that
are associated to the practice of violence against women in the society. The essay will focus
on the feminist ideals and views on such malpractices against women. The women in society
should not endure such treatment and necessary revolt and movements against violence will
be discussed in the essay.

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Bibliography List:
Eichhorn, K., 2014. The archival turn in feminism: Outrage in order. Afterimage, 42(2), p.33.
Evans, E. and Chamberlain, P., 2015. Critical waves: Exploring feminist identity, discourse
and praxis in western feminism. Social Movement Studies, 14(4), pp.396-409.
Ferguson, S., LeBaron, G., Dimitrakaki, A. and Farris, S.R., 2016. Introduction. Historical
Materialism, 24(2), pp.25-37.
Lenze, J. and Klasen, S., 2017. Does women’s labor force participation reduce domestic
violence? Evidence from Jordan. Feminist Economics, 23(1), pp.1-29.
Pain, R., 2014. Everyday terrorism: Connecting domestic violence and global
terrorism. Progress in Human Geography, 38(4), pp.531-550.
Rottenberg, C., 2014. The rise of neoliberal feminism. Cultural studies, 28(3), pp.418-437.
Schuster, J., 2016, September. Intersectional expectations: Young feminists' perceived failure
at dealing with differences and their retreat to individualism. In Women's Studies
International Forum (Vol. 58, pp. 1-8). Pergamon.
Vasilaki, R., 2016. The politics of postsecular feminism. Theory, Culture & Society, 33(2),
pp.103-123.