SOCIO-CULTURAL DETERMINANT OF DOMSETIC VIOLENCE A CASE STUDY OF AGEGE LOCAL GOVERNMENT

ABSTRACT

This research was based on domestic violence in Agege local government, Lagos state Nigeria. The people of Agege local government constitute the study population. The main objectives of this study were to examine how domestic violence influences the people living in this area. The data used for the study was collected through her interview schedule in which 200 respondent were selected through systematic random sampling.

From the study, it was observed that the majority respondent agreed that woman need to engage in labour to support their family financially. This finding showed that working mothers are conscious of their supportive role to their families but engaged actively in paid employment. Interestingly the study reported that the women receive encouragement, support and respect from their spouse which prevent occurrence of violence act from the husband. These findings corroborating, Oguwole (2005) findings that the women are respected at home for their contribution and participation actively in family decision making. Also, UN (2002) reports concur that working mothers participate more in family decision making are .less likely to witness domestic violence.

Furthermore, the study found that the working women not only receive their spouse attention and support, they also enjoy organization support, for instance 81 % of the respondent acknowledge that tree months maternity leave are always being granted to and observed by nursing mothers. They also identify it her nursing such as closing on time counseling of safe motherhood and access to organization clinic for medical attention, all this improve the relationship within the family. "On a daily basis, Nigerian women are beaten, raped and even murdered by members of their family for supposed transgressions, which can range from not having meals ready on time to visiting family members without their husband's permission," adding that "husbands, partners and fathers are responsible for most of the violence’s.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page

Certification

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Abstract

Table of Content

CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the study

1.2       Statement of Problem

1.3       Research Question

1.4       Objective of the Study

1.5       Significance of the Study

1.6       Scope and Limitation of the Study

1.7       Definition of Term

CHAPTER TWO:

LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.0       Introduction

2.1       Literature Review

2.2       Theoretical Orientation

2.3       Conceptual Framework

2.4       Hypothesis/Preposition

CHAPTER THREE:

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0       Introduction

3.1       The Study Population

3.2       Sample Size and Sampling Procedure

3.3       Research Instrument and Data Collection Method

3.4       Method of Data Analysis

3.5       Filed Experience

CHAPTER FOUR:

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.0       Introduction                                                                               

4.1       Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondent       

4.2       Result                                                                                          

4.3       Test of Hypotheses                                                    

CHAPTER FIVE:

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1       Summary

5.2       Conclusion

5.3       Recommendation

References

Appendix

CHAPTER ONE

INTROUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Domestic violence is a patter of behavior which involve the abuse of one partner against another, this can occur in intimate relationship, marriage friendship and family affairs, it can take forms of effect on one another, physical violence involves physical afflicting pains and actions. e.g. hitting, slapping, beating, sexual harassment while psychological can be in form of denial of right, abusing, frustration (Journal of the American Medical Association, 1995).

Domestic violence" varies, depending on the context in which it is used. It ma} be defined differently in medical, legal, political or social contexts. The definitions have varied over time, and vary in different parts of the world. Traditionally, domestic violence was mostly associated with physical violence. For instance, according to the (Merriam-Webster dictionary definition, 2005) domestic violence is "the inflicting of physical injury by one family or household member on another; also: a repeated habitual pattern 'of such behavior.

However, domestic violence today as defined by international conventions arid by governments, has a much broader definition, including economic' abuse. Domestic violence" means any' act of violence, even if upon another household member and includes harm to the other. (Journal of the American Medical Association, 1992).

It is also a pattern of behavior characterized by the misuse of power and control by one person over another who are or have been in an intimate relationship. It can occur in mixed gender relationships and same gender relationships and has profound consequences for the lives of children, individuals, families and communities. It may be physical sexual, emotional and/or psychological. The latter may include intimidation, harassment, and damage to property, threats and financial abuse. (The Act XX on Domestic Violence 2006, in Malta)

Furthermore is also a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner". The definition adds that domestic violence "can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender", and can take many 'forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional, economic, and psychological abuse. (The US Office on Violence against Women)

Domestic violence can be trance back to 1800s, at this period most legal systems accepted wife beating as a valid exercise of a husband's authority over his wife. One exception, however, was the 1641 Body of Liberties of the Massachusetts Bay colonists, which declared that a married woman should be "free from correction or stripes by her husband.

Political agitation during the nineteenth century led to changes in both popular opinion and legislation regarding domestic violence within the United Kingdom and the United States. In 1850, Tennessee became the first state in the United States to explicitly outlaw wife beating. Other states soon followed suit. In 1878, the Matrimonial Causes Act made it possible for women in the UK to seek separations from abusive husbands. By the end of the 1870s, most courts in the United States were uniformly opposed to the right of husbands to physically discipline their wives. By the early twentieth century, it was common for police to intervene in cases of domestic violence in the United States, but arrests remained rare.

The interest of this study is to examine the consequence of domestic violence is Lagos and using Agege local government as a case study, domestic violence as occurred mostly in areas of gender inequality and child abuse in this area of the state, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, has promised that the house will toughen the law against domestic violence and gender discrimination in Nigeria. The Speaker believes that the law would help bridge all gender gaps encouraging discrimination and promote gender equality as recognized by the Constitution. He announced this move at the third national women in parliament summit in Abuja. Female lawmakers at the summit frowned at the low representation of women in the National Assembly which placed Nigeria at the 117th position among democratic nations with less than 6.8percent of women in the nation's Parliament. (Channels Television July 01, 2013).

1.2      STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

It is obvious that large family size is no more desirable of the increasing rate of poverty, illiteracy and poor heath due to the effect of domestic violence in gender inequality and socio cultural belief system is one of the major consequences ,which implies that social cultural belief are the major constraints for. Domestic violence among gender in Nigeria.

In addition to this between half and two thirds of Nigerian women are subject to domestic violence in their homes. Domestic violence affects all social groups and can consist of physical, sexual and psychological abuse. Although men can also be affected by domestic violence, women suffer disproportionately (Leonie Taylor Article 14 March 2012 - 11:4Sam)

This trend occurs across much of the world, but Nigeria's discriminatory laws and dismissive police compound its particularly high rate of domestic ·violence. Most potently, its prevalent culture of silence and stigma for the victims of domestic violence hinders' public acknowledgement of the problem. There is an urgent need to challenge the social prejudices and institutional structures in order to protect it women, not just from danger, but also from ridicule fear and isolation.

"On a daily basis, Nigerian women are beaten, raped and even murdered by members of their family for supposed transgressions, which I Call range from not having meals ready on time to visiting family members without their husband's permission," adding that "husbands, partners I and fathers are responsible for most of the violence". (Stephane Mikala, Deputy Director of Amnesty

International's Africa program)

Although more widespread in acid attacks I on women which cause extreme pain, disfigurement and can be fatal, have also been on the rise  in Nigeria, and. have failed to be taken seriously as an offence by the Nigerian authorities. This is most of the problem of domestic violence that "will be treated. (Channels Television July 01, 2013)