Intimate partner violence against women and its related immigration stressors in Pakistani immigrant families in Germany

Abstract

This paper addresses the issue of intimate partner violence against women and its related immigration stressors in Pakistani immigrant families in Germany. Drawing on 32 in-depth interviews with Pakistani women in three cities in Germany, we found that psychological violence was the commonly reported violence among the study participants. The data showed that the process of immigration exacerbated tensions between spouses because of various immigration stressors such as threats to cultural identity, children’s socialization, and social isolation. In order to cope with the stressful spousal relations, women applied various indigenous strategies, but avoided seeking help from the host country’s formal care-providing institutions. This study also debunks some stereotypes and popular media clichés about the “victimhood of women from conservative developing countries” and provides an understanding of the issue of intimate partner violence within an immigration context. Further research with a larger sample will be helpful to understand immigration-induced stress and intimate partner violence in immigrant families.

Intimate partner violence against women in Pakistan: a review of qualitative research

“…The perspectives and problems faced by young married women were discussed by 13(52%) articles. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Most of the women face serious restriction, are denied basic rights 18 and kept in strict pardah (seclusion). 14 They are given limited autonomy and provided with limited societal support.…”

“…The greatest loss faced by the women in other countries was the loss of social network and parental support. 19 Women tend to stay silent in such kinds of abusive relationships for the sake of their reputation and their children's safety and future needs. Silence, patience and wisdom is seen by most women as the key to overpowering a violent husband.…”

“…Silence, patience and wisdom is seen by most women as the key to overpowering a violent husband. 19 2) Perspectives of married men Six (24%) articles 8,[21][22][23][24][25] talked about the perspectives of men towards spousal violence. It was found that men usually have a preconceived notion of an "ideal wife" 23 who would cater to his demands and continue his legacy by giving birth to a male child.…”

“…Of the total, 4(16%) articles 19,22,31,32 talked about the coping strategies employed by women. It was seen that abused women engaged frequently in individual religious activities, 31,32 appeased the husband or avoided contact with him, 32 while some resorted to giving the silent treatment in the hope of teaching him a lesson.…”

“…It was seen that abused women engaged frequently in individual religious activities, 31,32 appeased the husband or avoided contact with him, 32 while some resorted to giving the silent treatment in the hope of teaching him a lesson. 19 Some blamed themselves or denied the existence of violence. 32 A few of them sought support from their families or other available resources, and some even left their husbands.…”