Married Men Perception and Forms of Domestic Violence Against Men in Ibadan, Nigeria

Download Article

DOI: 10.21522/TIJPH.2013.13.01.Art041

Authors : Adebukola Shogbamu

Abstract:

Addressing domestic abuse is crucial in combating domestic violence against males. This includes violence by family members or intimate partners, often in contexts like marriage or cohabitation. Feminist perspectives typically focus on violence against women, portraying men as offenders. However, men can also be victims. This paper examines perceptions and forms of domestic violence against men in Ibadan, Nigeria. A descriptive mixed-method study was conducted in five Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Ibadan, Nigeria. The study involved 600 married men aged 18 and above, selected through a 5-stage sampling technique. Additionally, 20 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community gatekeepers (traditional and community leaders) were conducted. Qualitative analysis was performed using transcribed interviews and Nvivo 10 software, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results were presented in frequency tables, with some variables cross-tabulated. Respondents ranged from 23 to 64 years, with a mean age of 45.07 years. Most (78.2%) had only one marriage, 85% were the main income providers, and 47.7% had secondary education. The study revealed that 38.5% of respondents had a negative perception of domestic violence against men. Forms of domestic violence included denial of sex (80.2%), physical assaults (84.5%), excessive possessiveness and jealousy from wives (66.3%). Qualitative participants also mentioned physical assaults like hitting, thuggery, and hooliganism as forms of violence men face from their wives. The study suggests many men do not report domestic violence due to negative perceptions. Promoting awareness campaigns and educational programs is necessary to challenge stereotypes about masculinity and encourage open communication about experiences of violence.

References:

[1].   Chan, Ko Ling, 2011, "Gender Differences in Self-Reports of Intimate Partner Violence: A Review". Aggression and Violent Behavior (Elsevier) 16 (2): 167–175

[2].   UNICEF, 2000, Domestic violence against women and girls. Innocenti Digest, 6.

[3].   Sousa, A. D., 2022, Domestic violence against men: A lesser explored phenomenon. Ann Indian Psychiatry [serial online] 2022 [cited 2022 Jul 19];6:1-3. Available from: https://www.anip.co.in/text.asp?2022/6/1/1/344424

[4].   Deshpande, S., 2019, Sociocultural and legal aspects of violence against men. J Psychosexual Health

[5].   Josolyne, S., 2011, Men’s experiences of violence and abuse from a female intimate partner: Power, masculinity and institutional systems, [online]. Available at: http://www.mankind.org.uk/pdfs/Thesis%20Web%20Version%20060412.pdf [Accessed: 13th November 2014].

[6].   Thobejane, T. A., Mogorosi, D. L., and Luthada, N. V., 2018, Gender-based Violence against Men: A Muted Reality Southern African Journal for Folklore Studies. ISSN 1016-8427 http://doi.org/10.25159/1016-8427/4304

[7].   Oti, B., Paul, S., Duru, T., 2017, The emerging trend in culture of domestic violence in Nigeria: causes, theoretical assumptions and implications. Research Journal of Humanities, Legal Studies and International Development, 2(1): 53-63

[8].   Adebayo, A. A., 2014, Domestic violence against men: Balancing the gender issues in Nigeria. American Journal of Sociological Research, 4(1), 14-19.

[9].   Yusuf, O. B., Arulogun, O. S., Oladepo, O., and Olowokeere, F., 2011, Physical violence among intimate partners in Nigeria: A multi- level analysis. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, 3: 240-247.

[10].  Wright, C., 2016, The absent voice of male domestic abuse victims: the marginalisation of menin a system originally designed for women. Plymouth Law and Criminal Justice Review,1: 333-350.

[11].  Dienye, P. P., 2008, Domestic violence against men in primary healthcare in Nigeria. University of Port Harcourt

[12].  Namadi, M. M., 2017, Nature and prevalence of domestic violence against men in Dala local government area of Kano State, Nigeria. Journal of social and management sciences, 12(1), 10-20.

[13].  Malik, J. S., Nadda, A., A cross-sectional study of gender-based violence against men in the rural area of Haryana, IndiaIndian J Commu Med2019;44(1):35.

[14].  Ajala, A. O., 2017, Intimate Partner Violence Correlates and Coping Strategies: A Qualitative Inquiry Among Ijesa of South-West Nigeria. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 4(23).

[15].  Gathogo, J., 2012, “Chasing a Leopard out of the Homestead: Mundurume’s Task in the Era of HIV and AIDS.’’ In Redemptive Masculinities: Men, HIV and Religion, edited by E. Chitando and S. Chirongoma, 447– 470. Geneva: WCC Publication.

[16].  Thobejane, T. D., 2012, “Patriarchal Practices in Everyday Life: Towards a Gendered Struggle against Domestic Violence.” Southern African Journal of Folklore studies 22(2): 34–43.

[17].  Esmail Hassan, E., Seedhom, A. E., & Mahfouz, E. M., 2016, Men’s Perception of Domestic Violence, Rural Minia, Egypt. Open Journal of Preventive Medicine, 06(02), 106–114. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojpm.2016.62009

[18].  Dienye, P. O., and Gbeneol, P. K., 2009, Domestic Violence Against Men in Primary Care in Nigeria. American Journal of Men’s Health, 3(4) 333–339.

[19].  Cleary, M. T., 2003, Domestic violence against men and children: family violence hurts everyone. Meath: Amen

[20].  Adeyeri, A., 2013, Nigeria: Domestic Violence – A Society Biased Against Males? Available at allafrica.com. Retrieved on 15th June 2018.

[21].  Gluck, S., 2021, December 17, Domestic Violence Against Men: Male Victims of Domestic Abuse, HealthyPlace. Retrieved on 2023, December 1 from https://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/domestic-violence/domestic-violence-against-men-males-victims-of-domestic-abuse

[22].  Enakele, A. S., 2019, Domestic violence against men: prevalence, implications, and consequences. SOCIALINIS DARBAS. PATIRTIS IR METODAI. 2019 24 (2) ISSN 2029-0470 (spausdintas) ISSN 2029-5820 (internetinis) https://doi.org/10.7220/2029-5820.24.2.2

[23].  Loue, S., 2001, Intimate partner violence: Societal, medical, legal and individual

[24].  Kubai, J., 2012, Causes and Consequences of Domestic Violence Against Men InMukurwe -Ini Constituency, Kenya. Unpublished MA Project. Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies, University of Nairobi.

[25].  Rennison, C., 2003, Intimate partner violence, 1993-2001. (Publication No. NCJ197838). Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics, Department of Justice Responses. Springer Science & Business Media

[26].  Karimi, E., 2018, Characterising domestic violence against men: Insight from Karinyaga central ward. A research paper submitted to the institute of anthropology, gender and African studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in gender and development of University of Nairobi.

[27].  King'ori, M. E., and Bitrus-Ojiambo, U. A., 2016, Newspaper framing of gender-based (domestic) violence of women–on-men from Nyeri County, Kenya. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 1 (1):4-25.

[28].  De Sousa, Avinash. Domestic Violence Against Men: A Lesser Explored Phenomenon. Annals of Indian Psychiatry 6(1): p 1-3, Jan–Mar 2022. | DOI: 10.4103/aip.aip_48_22

[29].  Sarkar, S., Dsouza, R., Dasgupta, A., Domestic Violence against Men: A Study Report by Save Family Foundation. New Delhi, India: Save Family Foundation; 2007.

[30].  Dauda, B., & Ajao, I., 2017, Sex as a Weapon of Violence: An Examination of the Phenomenon of Domestic Violence against Men in Ibadan, Nigeria. Ibadan Journal of Sociology, 6(2), 5-26.

[31].  Mihalic, S. W., & Elliott, D., 1997, A social learning theory model of marital violence. Journal of family violence, 12(1), 21-47.