Psyc 190 Global Family Violence Asian American Experiences

Psyc 190 Global Family Violence Asian American Experiences n Film Clip: Half the Sky: Cambodia n Variety of groups n Incidence n Risk Factors n Responses: Cambodia n Discussion & conclusions

Variety of Groups n n n n 4. 2% of the US population Highest and lowest income groups Highest ed level, high degree white collar High percentage of dual income Earliest Chinese, Filipino, Japanese men brought as cheap labor, 1800 s-1920, Chinese & Japanese women sold as prostitutes Post 1965 E. Indians & Koreans immigrated Southeast Asian/Pacific Islander groups tend to be poorer & less educated: – Post 1975 refugees Vietnamese, Laotians, Cambodians, Filipinos

Incidence of Family Violence n n n Underreporting, no representative samples No accurate data: 20 -80% of wives report DV Can be hard to disentangle child abuse from cultural practices & different definitions No words for DV in many Asian languages No concept of marital rape Many victims won’t call violence as “abuse”

Risk Factors for Violence n n n Discrimination & model minority stereotype Acculturation stress, changing roles Isolation of nonemployed immigrant wives Arranged marriages Cultural Values – Hierarchy: patriarchal male dominance – Karma & Fatalism (“It can’t be helped”) – Emphasis on family harmony – Value avoidance of conflict – Loyalty and honor; Bringing shame to family loses “face” – Filial piety breaking down

Responses to DV: Cambodia n n n n n No DV laws, no police help unless severe injury or death, no marital rape law Reconciliation is encouraged by family law Hard to divorce 1994 Cambodian women administer a survey – 16% women reported being beaten, 74% knew someone, beatings often severe Now strong women’s movement, DV shelters Media campaign: posters, video, radio Presentations & use of local theater Training during religious ceremonies Draft of DV law: criminalize, facilitate divorce

Discussion & Conclusions How can emphasis on family both protect and increase risk for violence? n Why is language about intimate violence important? n What risks are involved in maintaining silence about family violence? n What steps are necessary in an effective activist response? n