Domestic Violence Against Married Women in India: A Study in Religion and Cultural Context.

Abstract: Documented experiences of women indicate that Inequality and the result discrimination on the ground of sex are common in all societies. Though women have proved equal still they are being abused. Violence against women reflects the reality that woman are not safe either at home. In India gender discrimination and the resultant forms of Domestic Violence or s familial abuse still remains more often it is latent. According to ‘United National Population Fund Report’ 2007, around two-third of married Indian women are victims of Domestic violence.

In this background, this study is conducted in Belgaum city of Karnataka state, India. The empirical data were collected by 200 respondents through interview. The study analyzes the domestic violence against women in the Hindu Religion and Indian cultural background. The study justifies Social learning theory. Dependency theory and feminist approaches. The finding of the study reveals that, highest frequency of Domestic Violence is observed in the middle class nuclear families. Economic, financial, social dependence and lack of social support are the main causes for Domestic Violence. The Indian culture and Religion perpetuate that a women is supposed to be submissive, tolerant and approachable to the situation. Due to lack of alternative support system and habitual tolerance forces women to remain in the spouse’s family. Most of the times they don’t share their problems and experiences with any of their friends, neighbors and family members. The law has tried to check the Domestic Violence, and the amendments are made but it has failed on account of solution. The study emphasises the need to reduce the incidences of Domestic Violence against women by changing the attitudes of men towards women and to create awareness to fight against violence.

(Key words: Domestic Violence, Hindu Religion and culture, Social learning theory,

Dependency theory, feminist approach.)