Domestic violence is a complex crime against humanity that has been socially constructed over time by a patriarchal system that has encouraged an imbalance of power relationships between men and women for centuries (Dupont & Sokoloff, 2005, p. 42-43). The objective of this thesis is to create further dialogue based on the pioneering work of Danns and Parsad’s (1989) research in exploring the role colonization plays in shaping domestic violence in the Caribbean. As a result, this research identified gaps in knowledge around women’s reluctance to report incidents of domestic violence, a tendency to rationalize men’s violence and at some level male violence is tolerated, as well how colonization altered the national identities and ethnicities of Caribbean people.
The concepts presented throughout this thesis were informed through social constructionism, where certain ideologies have created psychological or ‘internal’ divisions around ethnicity, region, and gender (Brereton, 2010). Over time, Danns and Parsad (1989) argue that the implications of colonization have created issues of insecurities, frustration, and ego by means of social norms which emphasize a male machismo. Danns and Parsad (1989)’s study also refers to the impact of colonization as a root of domestic violence and how Caribbean history reproduces male dominance. As a result, violence against women and domestic violence is based on gender inequality and female subordination, which has transcended through colonization. Further, women’s vulnerability is reinforced by the lack of economic opportunity and the power of authorities to dismiss or minimize women’s issues (p. 23). This has led me to think about the history of Trinidad and Tobago, domestic violence, and how this has impacted on women. In addition, I asked if such policies and legislation as the Domestic Violence Act (1991) support organizations in their role to help and assist women from violence then why is violence against women not decreasing in Trinidad and Tobago?
To explore these ideas and the impact domestic violence has had on Caribbean women, I engaged in a qualitative research study over a six-week period on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. This research focused on two major questions: (a) what are some of the contributing factors that sustain domestic violence in Trinidad and Tobago and (b) how do organizations respond to the demands of women enduring domestic violence. The research engaged a feminist and a critical theoretical approach, eliciting stories from 10 women. From these stories, a number of themes emerged which included: 1) ‘visible’ yet ‘invisible’; 2) ‘light skin’/’dark skin’; 3) ‘private matters’; 4) re-victimization of women by the system; and 5) an overarching theme of ‘power’ and ‘control’. As a result, women shared that domestic violence and the history of colonization play a role in keeping women in subordinate positions in three disadvantaged dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment, and the labour market. Yet, this research also speaks to potential ways in which men and women can find common ground through the deconstruction of the history and colonial legacy of violence (Cruz et al., 2011; Murdoch, 2009). The research also points to ways for the unequal distribution of power to be minimized in both the public and private spheres, and ways to understand the impact of domestic violence and the possibility of ending it in the future. / Thesis / Master of Social Work (MSW)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/18383 |
| Date | 20 November 2015 |
| Creators | Thornton, Karen Maria |
| Contributors | Carranza, Mirna, Social Work |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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