Burden of Womanhood: Tamil Women's Perceptions of Coping with Intimate Partner Violence

• NCJ Number: 240482
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 27 Issue: 7 Dated: October 2012 Pages: 647-658
• Author(s): Pushpa Kanagaratnam; Robin Mason; Ilena Hyman; Lisa Manuel; Helene Berman; Brenda Toner
• Date Published: October 2012
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey (Cross-Cultural)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The objective of this study was to collect information on perceptions of coping with intimate partner violence (IPV) from the perspective of a specific immigrant group of women.

Abstract

Helping women victimized by intimate partner violence (IPV) is a challenge, particularly when the women belong to diverse ethnic groups. The objective of our study was to collect information on perceptions of coping with IPV from the perspective of a specific immigrant group of women. Sixty-three women from the Tamil community in Toronto representing different generations and experiences of IPV were interviewed in focus group settings about their views of coping with IPV. Study findings suggested that their views were deeply embedded in their sociocultural context and influenced by the gender-role expectations from the community. The women showed a marked preference for "passive" modes of coping rather than "active." Study findings have implications for the development of alternative approaches to helping ethnically diverse women deal with IPV. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.