Domestic Violence in Chinese Population

Cross-Cultural Health Perspectives

Introduction

In the last ten years there has been an increase in awareness of domestic violence in the Asian American population. Asian American women have started conducting research and working this women's groups to increase education and awareness within the Asian community. There is still much work to do to but this movement has help bring domestic violence out of the shadows and shown that it is not the right of a husband to beat his wife no matter what cultural beliefs are.

Culture of Domestic Violence

The Chinese American population is viewed as quite traditional people. It is thought that they have strong lasting marriages with excellent family values and strong ties to the community. While all of this is true it also acts as a shield to block outsiders from seeing the abuse going on. In a male dominated culture where woman are socialized from birth to belief they are submissive and violence is normal it is more difficult to educate them different. Older Chinese Americans tend to not consider verbal, sexual or physical aggression as actual domestic violence. It is thought to be their right as the male. In some families multiple members may victimize one member together. Younger generations are becoming more aware and less likely to abuse but the value of a woman disgracing ones family seems to still be a very strong belief for abuse in all the Chinese American males.

Perception

The perceived needs in the Chinese American population can vary greatly from the actual needs. Chinese American woman are raised to believe that they do not challenge the males in their lives. To not disgrace the family at all costs and to be a good wife and mother always. While being a good spouse and mother is a positive thing tolerating abuse breaks that down. You can not be a good role model to your children and tolerate such poor treatment. This is how the cycle repeats itself. Another need is to be a strong member of the community. Generally in Chinese communities if a woman asks for help from abuse she is isolated and becomes an outcast while the abuser status in the community is not affected. The victims need help from someone in the community who understands and can help support them through the process of getting professional help. (Yick 2009)

Enablers

There are many resources to the Chinese American woman that can be a positive or negative support system. These include the family system and social groups. Also the community and religious organizations can act as positive and negative depending on the programs available and the beliefs of the members. While language barriers and cultural beliefs can limit access for care in the Chinese woman services can be fixed to provide bilingual programs that meet the