| Gender-Based Violence and Christianity: Catholic Prevention of Divorce Traps Women in an Abusive Marriage |
| Authors: |
John Simister, and Grazyna Kowalewska |
| Source: |
Psychology, 7(13): 1624-1644 ; DOI: 10.4236/psych.2016.713155 |
| Topic(s): |
Gender-based violence (GBV)
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Marriage
Religion
|
| Country: |
More than one region
Multiple Regions
|
| Published: |
NOV 2016 |
| Abstract: |
This paper reports evidence on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), violence against women by husband or male partner, based on household surveys from many countries. A woman’s risk of experiencing domestic violence varies, within a country and between countries, for many reasons. This paper focuses on religion: in particular, comparing Catholics with Protestants. It reports evidence that Catholic women have a higher risk of GBV than Protestant women. A possible explanation for this higher risk is investigated: the ban on divorce by the Catholic Church. Household surveys confirm that Catholics are less likely than Protestants to divorce. Divorce is a possible escape-route for a woman abused by her husband; preventing divorce keeps many women trapped in marriage to a violent husbandKEYWORDS
Gender-Based Violence, Catholic, Protestant, Divorce |
| Web: |
http://file.scirp.org/pdf/PSYCH_2016111416340534.pdf |