Perceptions of Factors Contributing to Intimate Partner Violence Among Sri Lankan Tamil Immigrant Women in Canada

Abstract

In this article we explore Sri Lankan Tamil immigrant women's views on factors contributing to intimate partner violence (IPV). We conducted eight focus groups with young, midlife, and senior women and women who experienced IPV. Three main themes emerged: postmigration sources of stress and conflict, patriarchal social norms that dictated gendered behavior, and individual male attributes and behaviors. Study participants recognized gender inequality and financial dependence as contributing factors and the role of women in promoting marital harmony. Findings suggest that pre- and postmigration factors need to be considered in the prevention of IPV in newcomer communities.

Neighbourhood context and abuse among immigrant and non-immigrant women in Canada: findings from the Maternity Experiences Survey

“…However, abuse reported by phone for the MES may lead to underreporting (e.g., perpetrator may be listening in on the interview), especially among immigrant women who generally tend to underreport abuse due to cultural attributes (Midlarsky et al 2006) or because of financial dependency on their husband (Menjivar and Salcido 2002), or social desirability (Hyman et al 2011). Difficulty in obtaining a representative sample size for immigrant women (Midlarsky et al 2006) could be another reason.…”

Risk and Resilience of Immigrant Women in Intimate Partner Violence

“…Migration research on intimate violence suggests that immigration alters the interactive dynamics, family routine, and communication patterns between husband and wife as they become accustomed to a new subculture (e.g., Guruge et al, 2010;Hyman et al, 2011;Jin & Keat, 2010). Specifically, when the women become acculturated faster than their partners through socialization at work, differences in power dynamics are inclined to take place, as female employment challenged the immigrants' traditional gender roles and customatory domestic labor division based on the historic male breadwinner model (e.g., Fuchsel et al, 2012;Grzywacz, Rao, Gentry, Marin, & Arcury, 2009;Jin & Keat, 2010).…”

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