1 research outputs found
MÄori women and intimate partner violence: Some sociocultural influences
Intimate partner violence (IPV) has recently been acknowledged as a worldwide phenomenon, with approximately one in four intimate relationships containing some form of violence. This study explores the interaction between relationship dynamics, IPV and whÄnau and community influences. We completed narrative interviews with two MÄori women in December 2010. Our findings confirm the results of earlier studies which have found that childhood experiences of violence, actual or witnessed, have a powerful effect that reverberate within adult lives and into the formation of intimate relationships. Our interviews show that MÄori whÄnau and women are textured by the same patriarchal expectations that privilege men in the PÄkehÄ world. We also found that seeking help from whÄnau to escape a violent relationship may not be the most welcomed course of action. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions