Domestic Violence Is Not Part Of The African Culture

Cultural and social norms are highly influential in shaping individual behaviour, including the use of violence. Norms can protect against violence, but they can also support and encourage the use of it. For instance, cultural acceptance of violence, either as a normal method of resolving conflict or as a usual part of rearing a child. Cultural beliefs are strongly linked to domestic violence. Most women have accepted abuse viewing it as something normal in the society.

In our society we have been taught that women have to submit to their husbands and in some instances this has been the driver of domestic violence. We have grown to know that the woman’s place is at home. Some women are still adhering to that norm which specifies the kitchen and the bedroom as the woman’s place where she will be taking care of children. That is basically what the culture of the olden days expected women to do. For some women being abused has become part of their lives, it has become normal….the elderly taught them that being beaten up is part of marriage.

I am not saying we should discard our culture but all l am saying is that domestic abuse is certainly not part of the African culture. Refuse to be abused all in the name of being cultural. Yes we should stick to our norms and values but refuse abuse. The African culture does not carry values of barbarianism. For those women who have been abused for years and years and accepted it as being part of marriage it is high time you begin to refuse being abused. I repeat, abuse is not part of the African culture.It is not and has never been an African value or part of our culture that wives should be beaten or battered. If there are problems within the home we need to go back to the extended family to take up the issues.