Abstract
This study aimed to describe the social and cultural etiology of violence against women in Jordan. A sample of houses was randomly selected from all 12 Governorates in Jordan, resulting in a final sample of 1,854 randomly selected women. ANOVA analysis showed significant differences in violence against women as a result of women’s education, F = 4.045, α = 0.003, women who work, F = 3.821, α = 0.001, espouser to violence F = 17.896, α = 0.000, experiencing violence during childhood F = 12.124, α = 0.000, and wife’s propensity to leave the marital relationship F = 12.124, α = 0.000. However, no differences were found in violence against women because of the husband’s education, husband’s work, or having friends who belief in physical punishment of kids. Findings showed women experienced 45 % or witnessed 55 % violence during their childhood. Almost all 98 % of the sample was subjected to at least one type of violence. Twenty-eight percent of the sample believed a husband has the right to control a woman’s behavior and 93 % believed a wife is obliged to obey a husband. After each abusive incidence, women felt insecure, ashamed, frightened, captive and stigmatized.
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