Relationship between Domestic Violence & Poverty

This study explores the relationship between domestic violence and poverty. It discusses the causes and effects of domestic violence among economically weaker classes, and provides a case study to illustrate the connection. The study highlights the importance of understanding the impact of poverty on domestic violence.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & POVERTY
Relationship between Domestic Violence & Poverty
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Executive Summary

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Discussion........................................................................................................................................3
Feminist Theory and Domestic Violence....................................................................................3
Causes of Domestic Violence among the Economically Weaker Classes...................................4
Effect of Domestic Violence.......................................................................................................4
Case Study...................................................................................................................................5
Critically Examining the Issue of Domestic Violence and Poverty............................................5

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Introduction
Violence inflicted upon women and children are two of the gravest social problems and
occur on a regular basis throughout the world. One in every three women goes through physical
and sexual violence in their entire lifetime (ncadv.org, 2019). These are mostly intimate partner
violence, which means that they are inflicted by either their husbands or partners or boyfriends.
Many reports have suggested that the rate of domestic violence is more among economically
backward classes. Those men who are financially weaker and belong to a lower stratum of
society are more likely to inflict violence (www.un.org, 2019).
Discussion
Feminist Theory and Domestic Violence
The feminist movement got its start in the 1970s. The primary goal of feminist theory is
to understand the oppression of women in relation to race, class, gender and preference of
sexuality (Hearn 2013). Rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, female infanticide and foeticide
are defined as forms of violence that are inflicted by men. The common link between all these
forms of violence is power and gender. The central tenet of feminist theory is based on the view
that all kinds of violence reflect the inequality in power between men and women in a society
(Hearn 2013). This would help raise awareness among the people who does not consider
domestic violence or marital abuse to be a crime. Feminist theory states that domestic violence is
intrinsically related to the patriarchal framework of the society (Hearn 2013). The violence that
is inflicted upon women is a reflection of the social structured that is inherently gendered.

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Causes of Domestic Violence among the Economically Weaker Classes
Decreasing annual household income is indirectly proportional to the increasing sexual
assault and domestic abuse (Lowrey, 2019). Families with under $7500 yearly are twice as likely
to experience sexual violence as other families (Greco & Dawgert, 2019). Stressing about
obtaining food, to finding proper shelter, transportation and the ways to keep their family safe
and healthy, these are all the extra stress that a person living in poverty have to bear on a daily
basis. Women and children who live in poverty live more dangerously, they have to struggle to
fulfill their basic needs hence, and they are more dependent on their partners for survival.
Therefore, their control over their own sexuality is less than any other women (Greco &
Dawgert, 2019).
Effect of Domestic Violence
One of the major effects of domestic violence is the occurrence of post-traumatic stress
disorder among women. The women who are subjected to domestic violence mostly remain quiet
and do not report the crime. Domestic violence reduces the quality of life of the victim and
hinders any growth. One of the most important effects of domestic abuse is the effect it has on
the children who is a part of that relationship. They may resort to alcoholism and drug abuse later
in their life. Men who are perpetrating the violence also experience some negative effect. The
majority of the perpetrators are reported to be feeling worried about the fate of their partners,
whether they will be leaving the relationship (ncadv.org, 2019).
Case Study
In Trans Nzoia, a 55 year old man was arrested on 7th May, 2019. He killed his wife with
a machete because he had fight with her over the proceeds of tomato sales (Bwisa, 2019). Deniel
Koech, the perpetrator was arrested for murdering Prisca Cheruto, his wife. The argument started

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when the Cheruto refused to give his husband the money she got after selling tomatoes. When
the neighbors found the body, it had deep cuts in the arm and the body. This shows the economic
position of the family. Similar incidents have been reported from the same county. The husband
fought the wife over the meager amount of money she received from the sale of tomatoes. This
shows that the economic conditions of the family play a big role in this scenario. The money is
what the man wanted and because he did not get the money he killed his wife. This case directly
shows how poverty is related to violence.
Critically Examining the Issue of Domestic Violence and Poverty
Domestic violence and poverty are intrinsically related. The reason being that the
economically backward people have a lot that they have to stress about in their daily life. For
them having a wife or a girlfriend gives them the right to their body, according to them the role
of women in society is still bearing children and being the docile housewife, so they think it is
their right to physically assault their partners. There are evidences which points out that poverty
are related to violence. Every 2% of women in the United States are affected by domestic
violence (Aizer, 2011). Data from Michigan shows that 63% of women have experiences
domestic abuse in their lifetime and 51% have been through severe physical violence (Aizer,
2011). In 2013-2014, 1.1 million women have experienced domestic violence (Fahmy,
Williamson & Pantazis, 2019). These reports show that the rate of domestic violence is
constantly increasing in every society.

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References
Aizer, A. (2011). Poverty, Violence, and Health: The Impact of Domestic Violence During
Pregnancy on Newborn Health. Journal of Human Resources 46(3), 518-538. University
of Wisconsin Press.
Bwisa, G. (2019). Man Hacks Wife to Death over Tomato Sales Proceeds. Daily Nation.
Fahmy, E., Williamson, E., & Pantazis, C. (2019). Evidence and policy review: Domestic
violence and poverty. Research-information.bristol.ac.uk.
Hearn, J. (2013). The sociological significance of domestic violence: Tensions, paradoxes
and implications. Current Sociology, 61(2), 152-170.
Lowrey, A. (2019). The Inequality Beneath the Sexual-Harassment Headlines. The Atlantic.
ncadv.org. (2019). NCADV | National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Ncadv.org.
www.un.org. (2019). VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN LINKED TO POVERTY, ARMED
CONFLICT, THIRD COMMITTEE TOLD, AS DISCUSSION OF WOMEN’S ISSUES
CONCLUDES | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases. Un.org.

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Appendix