In recent years, various social institutions have continuously sensitized the world to the escalating cases of relationship violence. Relationship violence refers to verbal, physical, sexual, and psychological abuse occurring between partners in a relationship (Barocas et al., 2016). Since most instances of relationship violence entail male perpetrators, most people often perceive females as victims. Presently, relationship violence throughout the world is increasing, resulting in trauma, injury, and death.  Most studies aiming at eradicating this vice employ multidimensional approaches in finding the solution. This paper aims to compare the macrocontexts and microcontexts of relationship violence.

Macrocontexts of relationship violence

Macro contexts of relationship violence refer to environmental factors outside the relationship that contribute to the related violence. Typically, these factors stem from societal and cultural underpinnings, so controlling or avoiding them is challenging. Besides, macrocontexts exist across all communities regardless of cultural, racial, and religious differences.

Social factors are crucial in shaping individual values, behaviour, and attitudes. Regarding relationship violence, social factors play a role in promoting relationships by elevating or pitting one partner over the other. For instance, gender role identity defines males as strong, masculine, and females as weak. This precedence enables males to attack females because they are physically weak and unable to defend themselves. Besides, relationship violence stems from a culture promoted by society through the media and family, that men are the sole decision-makers in relationships (Whiting et al., 2020). Societal impunity further fuels relationship violence as perpetrators often go unpunished for assaulting their partners (Guerin & Oliveira, 2017). Due to fear of embarrassment and retaliation, abused partners fail to take legal or preventive measures, further making relationship violence acceptable in society.

Microcontexts of relationship violence

Micro contexts of relationship violence refer to risk factors within the internal relationship environment that contribute to violence between partners. Unlike Macro contexts, these factors stem from the personal traits of the partners. Studies reveal that low self-esteem is a prime determinant of relationship violence. For instance, abused partners may continue enduring violence due to believing that they deserve nothing better. Perpetrators use violence to hide their low self-esteem.

Any couple’s economic status balance is a crucial determinant of power in the relationship. Partners with lower social and economic status are highly vulnerable to physical and psychological abuse (Slabbert, 2017). Although some studies disagree, drug and substance abuse increases the chances of relationship violence (Shorey et al., 2018). Other microcontexts include psychological disorders, a partner’s relationship history, and the desire for control.

Reference

Barocas, B., Emery, D., & Mills, L. G. (2016). Changing the domestic violence narrative: Aligning definitions and standards. Journal of family violence, 31(8), 941-947.

Guerin, B., & de Oliveira Ortolan, M. (2017). Analyzing domestic violence behaviours in their contexts: Violence as a continuation of social strategies by other means. Behavior and Social Issues, 26(1), 5-26.

Shorey, R. C., Haynes, E., Brem, M., Florimbio, A. R., Grigorian, H., & Stuart, G. L. (2018). Marijuana use is associated with intimate partner violence perpetration among men arrested for domestic violence. Translational issues in psychological science, 4(1), 108.

Whiting, J. B., Merchant, L. V., Bradford, A. B., & Smith, D. B. (2020). The ecology of family violence: Treating cultural contexts and relationship processes. The Handbook of Systemic Family Therapy, 4, 153-190.