Heroes, Hymen and Honour: A Study of the Character of Attitude Change among Male Youth with Their Roots in an Honour-Based Context

Abstract

Background: Honour-related violence and oppression (HRVO) became a public and a state concern in Sweden in the wake of murders of three young women of foreign origin in the late 90's and early 20's. The Swedish society's focus on girls' and women's exposure to honour-related restrictions and reprisals, overshadowed to some extent, boys' and young men's condition in the honour context. Yet in recent years boys' and young men's dual role as both victims and potential perpetrators in honour culture has received increasing attention in Sweden. In the discussion on how HRVO must be combated, attitude change interventions targeting boys and young men have been emphasized as an important measure. Purpose:The overall aim of this study is to elucidate and compare the participants' attitudes towards honour, masculinity and virginity in a retrospective perspective i.e. before and after their attendance in an attitude change program. Method:The study is based on a content analysis of individual in-depth and focus group interviews with participants and leaders of an attitude change project called "Sharaf Heroes".Findings: This study indicates that honour-based norms and values are very persistent which requires both an uncompromising and an arduously intervention targeting attitude change.

Attitudes toward intimate partner “honor”-based violence in India, Iran, Malaysia and Pakistan

“…Clearly, there is a pressing need for attitudinal change programs in collectivist honor cultures, to train professionals in the safeguarding arena, including police, social welfare, health, education services. (e.g., Meyeda & Vijaykumar, 2016;Sedem-Wreder, 2015 Sweden called "Sharaf Heroes" is a laudable exemplar of how interventions might be designed to engage young male populations to address attitudes that condone the use of HBV (Rexvid & Schlytter, 2012). This long-term program offers educational workshops and courses where men from different cultural and religious backgrounds attend courses about human rights and equality, where they are encouraged to discuss the patriarchal origins and detrimental consequences of HBV.…”

“…Once they complete a course, a 'qualified' Hero can then themselves deliver a workshop in schools, organisations, and authorities. This program has been rolled out to a number of Swedish cities, and across other countries, such as France, Holland, Norway and Germany (Rexvid & Schlytter, 2012). Practical developments, such as these, may prove to be influential in changing attitudes towards HBV, as they implicitly require participation and engagement from males raised in patriarchal, collectivist cultures, who are most 'at risk' of perpetuating HBV beliefs, and so their insight could play a part in a program's success.…”

Not domestic violence or cultural tradition: is honour-based violence distinct from domestic violence?

“…Dyer cites 22 women and 7 men were victims of honour killings/attempted honour killings in the UK in the last 5 years (Dyer, 2015: 16). Whoever HBV is committed against, at the centre is male domination over those who are weaker, bearing some similarity with DV (Rexvid and Schlytter, 2012;Reddy, 2014: 32).…”

A Review of the Literature on Honor‐based Violence

“…Jafri (, p. 142), however, argues, “Education for the awareness of human rights and equality has to be cross‐gender: if women are to be empowered, men have to be alerted to adjust their roles and identities.” Thus, it would benefit communities if sociological research assisted in conceptualization of programs which counter culturally specific hegemonic masculinities connected to HBV. Work by Rexvid and Schlytter () that evaluates programs for young men critiquing honor systems is critical. Emerging work should include components that incorporate contemporary forms of control, such as online shaming and surveillance (Hague, Gill, and Begikhani ).…”

“…Thus, it would benefit communities if sociological research assisted in conceptualization of programs which counter culturally specific hegemonic masculinities connected to HBV. Work by Rexvid and Schlytter (2012) that evaluates programs for young men critiquing honor systems is critical. Emerging work should include components that incorporate contemporary forms of control, such as online shaming and surveillance (Hague, Gill, and Begikhani 2013).…”