Violence against women across diverse family structures: A comparative analysis

Abstract

Objectives: Violence is an extremely complex social phenomenon that involves social, political, economic, and cultural factors. This study is based on the premise that violence is not monolithic but manifests in different forms, and these forms can affect people, particularly women, in various ways depending on a variety of circumstances, including family structure. Historically, social norms have perpetuated violence, especially against women, due to unequal gender roles and entrenched patriarchal structures. The United Nations (UN) estimates that one-third of women worldwide have experienced some form of violence, whether physical, psychological, or sexual, with domestic violence being the most common. These alarming figures underscore the need for continued investigation into this issue from multiple perspectives to better identify its causes and consequences.

The primary objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of violence against women according to the type of family they belong to, in a vulnerable socioeconomic context, specifically in a human settlement in Lima, Peru. The study aims to understand how family characteristics, such as the composition and structure of the household, influence the frequency and forms of violence faced by women. The intention of the research is to provide relevant data that can serve as a foundation for designing public policies and intervention programs that are more effective in addressing gender-based violence, not only from a general perspective but also through the lens of family structure.

Materials and methods: To analyze the relationship between gender-based violence and family types, a quantitative, correlational approach was adopted. This approach allowed for an objective and detailed analysis of the magnitude of violence and its relationship with different family structures. A sample of 1,372 women living in a human settlement in Lima was selected through stratified random sampling, ensuring that various family types were adequately represented in the study, providing a diverse and representative sample. Two main instruments were used for data collection: structured surveys with scales, designed to measure and classify both domestic violence and family types. The first instrument focused on identifying the forms of violence experienced by women, categorizing the episodes of violence as physical, psychological, sexual, and economic. The second instrument aimed to identify the characteristics of the family environment, classifying families into three main types: nuclear, extended, and single-parent. These instruments enabled the precise collection of data regarding the frequency of different types of violence according to family type. The study was conducted over a specific period, and the confidentiality of the participants was ensured to protect their safety and integrity, which helped obtain reliable and valuable results on this social issue.

Results: The findings reveal that most of the women surveyed are between 50 and 60 years old, are divorced or separated, and have low educational levels, reflecting a context of social vulnerability that could contribute to their greater exposure to violence. The most prevalent form of violence was psychological, followed by physical violence. Psychological violence includes behaviors such as insults, humiliation, threats, and emotional manipulation, while physical violence encompasses bodily aggression, including hitting and even the use of objects. The study also shows that violence tends to occur predominantly within the family environment, with a higher risk for women belonging to nuclear and extended families. Women living in conditions of intermediate poverty also show a higher prevalence of violence in their households, suggesting that, in addition to family structure, socioeconomic conditions play a significant role in perpetuating gender-based violence. This finding is crucial for understanding how power and control dynamics within the household, influenced by poverty, contribute to gender-based violence. Another important result is that women from nuclear and extended families are more affected by violence than those from single-parent families. This difference may be explained by the power and control dynamics that are exerted within these family structures, where traditional gender roles are more entrenched, facilitating violence as a mechanism of control and domination over women.

Conclusions: The study confirms the existence of a significant prevalence of gender-based violence, particularly in its psychological and physical forms, among women living in human settlements. Women from nuclear and extended families, and those living in conditions of intermediate poverty, are the most affected by violence. These results highlight that family structure is a key factor in understanding gender-based violence, as power relations within the household vary according to family type, influencing the dynamics of violence. The study emphasizes the importance of further investigating the relationship between violence against women and family structure, as this is an area that has been relatively underexplored in academic literature. These findings are relevant to public policies and community interventions, as they indicate that violence prevention strategies must take into account the specific characteristics of women's family environments. It is not only necessary to address gender-based violence from a general perspective but also to consider the particularities of the family structures in which the victims live. In this sense, it is recommended that public policies and intervention programs be adapted to address the specific family dynamics that perpetuate violence. It is essential to educate families about gender equality, promote the economic autonomy of women, and provide psychological and legal support to victims. Likewise, it is crucial that public policies consider the demographic and social characteristics of the women most vulnerable to violence in order to offer solutions that are effective and inclusive. This study offers a better understanding of the relationship between gender-based violence and family types, showing that family structure is an indicator of the prevalence and forms of violence women experience. It is hoped that these findings will contribute to the design of more effective policies and programs for the prevention and eradication of gender-based violence in vulnerable social contexts.