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Gender-Based Violence and Christianity: Catholic Prevention of Divorce Traps Women in an Abusive Marriage

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: This paper reports evidence on Gender-Based Violence (GBV), violence against women by husband or male partner, based on household surveys from many countries. A woman’s risk of experiencing domestic violence varies, within a country and between countries, for many reasons. This paper focuses on religion: in particular, comparing Catholics with Protestants. It reports evidence that Catholic women have a higher risk of GBV than Protestant women. A possible explanation for this higher risk is investigated: the ban on divorce by the Catholic Church. Household surveys confirm that Catholics are less likely than Protestants to divorce. Divorce is a possible escape-route for a woman abused by her husband; preventing divorce keeps many women trapped in marriage to a violent husband

Source: Psychology

DOI: 10.4236/psych.2016.713155

Authors: John Simister, Grażyna Kowalewska

Institutions: Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn

Language: English

Topic: Intimate Partner and Family Violence

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W2554628666

FWCI: 0.44

Cites: 32

Cited by: 13

Related to: 10