Gender-based violence and hegemonic masculinity in China: an analysis based on the quantitative research

Abstract

Based on a survey implemented in a county in central China, the researchers found it is common for women to experience gender-based violence, especially violence at the hands of intimate partners. About half of men surveyed reported inflicting physical or sexual violence on their female partners. One in five men reported having raped a partner or non-partner woman. The physical, mental and reproductive health of the female and male respondents were found to be significantly associated with women's victimization and men's perpetration of intimate partner violence. Gender-based violence, including intimate partner violence, is a construction of the social-ecological system. Four elements that are key to hegemonic masculinity are identified: male decision-making, male reputation, violence and heterosexuality. By positing the four elements as standards that define a "real man", the domination of men over women is naturalized and legitimized. It is necessary to foster other nonviolent and more equitable masculinities.

Women’s Economic Abuse Experiences: Results from the UN Multi-Country Study on Men and Violence in Asia and the Pacific

“…In another study on 2,987 women in China, the prevalence of psychological, physical, and sexual violence was 77.7%, 40.2%, and 11%, respectively; additionally, 52% had experienced two or three types of violence in their life (Yuan & Hesketh, 2021). Finally, Wang et al (2019) found the prevalence rate of economic abuse was 36.5% in a sample of 505 participants from Hong Kong.…”

“…While research from the data used for this study has looked at the lifetime prevalence of IPV among women in China, PNG, and Sri Lanka (i.e., Gibbs et al, 2018; Wang et al, 2019) and health outcomes such as depressive symptoms and poor general health, these studies did not look at the association between IPV and depressive symptoms, in conjunction with other aspects of the survivors’ financial circumstances. Given the impact that economic abuse has on the financial capabilities and overall well-being of IPV survivors, it is critical that we intentionally focus on developing a better understanding of the nature and consequences of economic abuse.…”

Does Friend Support Matter? The Association between Gender Role Attitudes and School Bullying among Male Adolescents in China

“…Contemporary hegemonic masculinity incorporates several themes, including dominance and violence [ 51 ]. Such themes, as global research reveals, are largely shared among patriarchal societies, and China is no exception [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. One Chinese survey that investigated masculine norms and violent behaviors showed that among 1981 participants, 21.8% of female and 52.4% of male respondents agreed that “a man can defend his reputation through violence if he has to” [ 54 ].…”

“…Such themes, as global research reveals, are largely shared among patriarchal societies, and China is no exception [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. One Chinese survey that investigated masculine norms and violent behaviors showed that among 1981 participants, 21.8% of female and 52.4% of male respondents agreed that “a man can defend his reputation through violence if he has to” [ 54 ]. Accordingly, boys raised in such norms learn to behave in corresponding ways through reinforcement and punishment of multiple socializing agents (e.g., family, peers, media, schools).…”

“…Much evidence exists that supports the impact of traditional gender role beliefs on intimate partner violence and sexual assault [ 43 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ], as well as dating violence [ 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 , 61 ], homophobic name-calling [ 62 , 63 , 64 ], and fighting behaviors [ 63 ] among male adolescents. In terms of adolescent school bullying, one study was conducted among 206 high school football players in the Midwestern US, and reported their bullying behaviors in the past 2 months and traditional masculinity beliefs, along with other items [ 27 ].…”