FAMILY DECISION-MAKING PROCESS AND ATTITUDES TOWARD WIFE BEATING: EVIDENCE HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA

Abstract

Although progressive laws exist, and women have clear work roles in the domestic sphere, their agency is limited by patriarchal norms, particularly in rural India. This study seeks to examine the association between women’s involvement in decisions made inside the domestic sphere and excuses for spousal abuse among women in Himachal Pradesh. A cross sectional quantitative design was applied, as primary data structured questionnaire was collected from 300 female. Participants were recruited through a multistage and stratified sampling method that ensured variety in socio-demographics. Data were analysed using frequencies and percentages to compute descriptive statistics, Chi-square (χ²) tests for vicariate analysis and binary logistic regression to identify the association between IPV respectively autonomy in decision-making and justification of wife beating. The odds of a rural woman justifying domestic violence are way higher than the odds of an urban woman (82.6 per cent vs 43.8 per cent). Lower educational levels, being unemployed also lower wealth status are associated with higher rates of justification. Results from binary logistic regression also indicate that women participating in family decision-making process are less likely to justify wife ball. Lower justification rates are also linked to employment and higher education. The diminishing normalization of the domestic violence as the autonomy, education, and financial independence are proven to be significant factors, according the study.