Marital Dependency and its Relationship to Intimate Partner Abuse
Domestic violence can occur in different forms within a family. For example, it can occur between a husband and wife, or parents and children (Rakovec-Felser, 2014). Rakovec-Felser (2014) defines domestic violence as the abusive behaviors, which may be physical or sexual, used by a person to gain power or control in an intimate relationship unfairly and can result in injury or death. Both same-sex and heterosexual relationships can experience intimate partner abuse, which is part of domestic violence. However, a majority of intimate partner abuse occurs between men and women (Rakovec-Felser, 2014). Either men or women can initiate intimate partner abuse. Nonetheless, at least a third of women report having experienced physical abuse by their partner at least once during their lifetime (Rakovec-Felser, 2014). Rakovec-Felser (2014) adds that women’s violence is less frequent, and the female victims’ injury rate is higher than that of male ones. This essay explores the relationship between marital dependency and intimate partner abuse.
Intimate partner abuse follows a common pattern where a perpetrator practices both violent and apologetic behavior. This process can be explained using Walker’s cycle theory of violence, which occurs in three phases. The first phase, tension-building, is where the tension in the relationship increases, and the perpetrator can engage in minor offenses (Wallace & Roberson, 2015). In most cases, the victim changes and becomes more nurturing and stays away from the abuser. The victim also accepts the blame and feels guilty for the perpetrator’s actions. In the second stage, explosion, the perpetrator losses control, and a significant violent incident occurs (Wallace & Roberson, 2015). The victim is mostly in shock and denial over the occurrences. Therefore, the victim can try to minimize injuries. In the last phase, named calm, loving respite, the abuser apologizes, and promises to avoid violence (Rakovec-Felser, 2014). The victim may be willing to understand the abuser’s actions and is willing to stay in the relationship. This pattern of abuse results in a condition called battered woman syndrome. In this state, victims become immobilized and stay in an abusive relationship because they believe there is no option (Rakovec-Felser, 2014). Rakovec-Felser (2014) adds that the victim may be depressed and experience disrupted interpersonal relationships. The cycle and helplessness make it challenging for victims to leave an abusive relationship.
Marriage Dependency
Dependency is a common feature of marriage. It occurs in the form of emotional or economic dependency. Emotional is characterized by a need for nurturance, support, and protection in situations where an individual can be independent (Adjei, 2015). Economic occurs when an individual relies on their spouse for financial support or has a subjective financial vulnerability perception due to financial reliance (Adjei, 2015). Based on psychological literature, dependency can develop into a condition called dependent personality disorder. This condition is characterized by a pervasive need for nurturance and support that results in submissive behavior, abandonment fears, and clinginess (Adjei, 2015). Adjei (2015) also notes that females mostly experience dependent personality disorder. Both males and females can be dependent on marriage.
In some cultures, female dependency on marriage is socialized. In these marriages, women should be taken care of by their spouses. For example, in most African societies such as the Ghanaian society, men have full responsibility for their wives’ welfare (Adjei, 2015). In turn, women depend on them economically and financially. In the Ghanaian society, a man is also expected to pay the bride price or dowry to demonstrate the ability to take care of the wife (Adjei, 2015). This gesture signals the significance of the marriage and the dependence of the wife. Masculinity is also measured by his ability to meet his spouse’s and children’s economic and emotional needs (Adjei, 2015). Adjei (2015) adds that responsibility is so absolute that women who are financially independent and have higher incomes than their husbands are also economically dependent on the latter. Moreover, these women are proud to depend on their husbands entirely (Adjei, 2015). In these cultures, women’s dependency is accepted behavior.
In the cultures mentioned above, men’s dependency is not socialized. The acceptance of men depends on their ability to provide for their families (Adjei, 2015). An inability to meet this expectation ruins a man’s public image and lowers his ego. Adjei (2015) states that an economic role reversal where the wife is the breadwinner is viewed as an attempt by the latter to usurp the husband’s leadership role. Therefore, men’s economic dependency is mostly frowned upon in the African communities. Men can also be emotionally dependent, which is characterized by possessiveness and jealousy (Adjei, 2015). Emotional and economic dependency in men is not socially accepted.
Marriage economic dependency can also be explained using the economic resource theory. The theory posits that a marriage’s power is determined by the amount of money a person contributes (Springer, 2010). In particular, the high-income earner determines how money is spent, who spends it, and what the money is spent on. The individual can also use the money to hire someone to assist with childcare and house chores. The theory proposes a gender-neutral mechanism with the understanding that couples use power in the same way (Springer, 2010). However, the mechanism is affected by the gendered division of labor (Springer, 2010). For example, in this context, the woman’s income-based power is associated with the man’s role as the breadwinner in a patriarchal society. Springer (2010) also states that husbands are unsatisfied when they earn less than 33% of the marital income, which can harm their health. Economic dependency in a marriage influences how power and control are shared.
Marital Dependency and Intimate Partner Abuse
Emotionally dependent males may physically abuse their partners. Adjei (2015) notes that these men are abusive because they are possessive and fear rejection or abandonment. Research also suggests that an increase in jealousy predicts abusive episodes in these men because it elicits abandonment (Adjei, 2015). Men become abusive because, in some communities, masculinity is sexualized. For example, in Ghana, a man’s sexual performance determines sexual identity, and low performance is perceived as impotence that threatens masculinity (Adjei, 2015). Therefore, a woman’s infidelity is perceived as a man’s inability to sexually and economically satisfy the former, and the latter is subjected to social derision (Adjei, 2015). In this situation, a man can use violence to signal possession and fend off allegations of sexual impotence (Adjei, 2015). The man would regain his reputation and gain social acceptance. In such a society, a woman’s infidelity is unacceptable. In this regard, these men may be violent because of worrying about how others will perceive them and not because of abandonment and rejection fears. Emotionally dependent men are abusive when there is real or imagined infidelity because it threatens their masculinity.
In addition to fearing society’s perception of their masculinity, emotionally dependent men can be abusive because they fear abandonment. Petruccelli et al. (2014) state that these men focus solely on the relationship and exclude other social contacts. In turn, they develop attachment anxieties that are manifested through jealousy and aggression. Petruccelli et al. (2014) add that emotionally dependent men’s aggressiveness is a means of maintaining their identity and self-worth. Research also suggests that the overdependence results from childhood insecure attachment and helps to preserve their ego (Petruccelli et al., 2014). Based on attachment theory, childhood attachment extends to marital relationships, and attachment styles cannot be modified or changed (Petruccelli et al., 2014). Emotional dependency also varies with age. For example, in men, it grows throughout their lives, but it most evident between 39 and 45 years (Petruccelli et al., 2014). If a couple experiences stress from economic and social conditions, a man in this age group will turn to their spouse to gain support. If this man predicts abandonment, he may become violent to protect his esteem. Emotionally dependent men become violent when they fear abandonment or rejection because it affects their self-worth and identity.
Intimate partner abuse also occurs when women stop being economically dependent on men. As mentioned earlier, in some cultures, a role reversal where a woman is a breadwinner is not socialized. Adjei (2015) states that men can become abusive if the reversal causes anguish and humiliation. In Ghana, men who are economically dependent on women are considered useless because they have lost their leadership role and position in their marriages and extended families (Adjei, 2015). Therefore, domestic abuse may be a product of the men’s fear of public humiliation. It can also be a way for the man to reassert his authority. Adjei (2015) notes that financially independent women can easily challenge their spouse’s authority to dominate. In turn, the man can use violent behavior to regain his authority. Adjei (2015) adds that men who economically rely on their wives may become violent because they are frustrated. Men can also develop dissatisfaction because of unrealized masculinity expectations, which is known as masculine identity disappointment (Adjei, 2015). Economically dependent men are abusive because of the humiliation resulting from cultural notions of masculinity.
Economically dependent men can also be abusive without fearing humiliation. Springer (2010) notes that being the breadwinner is honorable in contemporary American society. Therefore, failing to be a breadwinner can cause stress and force men to overcompensate with unhealthy behaviors like drinking and smoking (Springer, 2010). The dependent men feel that their masculinity is threatened by their wives. Due to the stress, the men can abuse their spouses to compensate for the inability to provide for the family. Heavy drinking can also result in violent behavior, especially when a man is drunk. Low-income earning men are affected more than high-income earners because they are far from achieving economic success (Springer, 2010). Springer (2010) adds that high-income earners are affected when they perceive their wives’ earnings as a personal affront. These men get offended when their wives work to keep busy and earn more than them. However, they are unoffended when the wives work to pay bills. Economically dependent men can be abusive when their wives’ earnings make them feel disrespected.
Theoretical Perspectives
Feminist theory can be used to explain violent behavior in economically dependent men. The theory posits that the patriarchal nature of society influences intimate partner abuse (Rakovec-Felser, 2014). In such a society, masculinity is defined by having authoritative control over women. Based on this theory, men are violent and abuse because they are expressing social power and control over women (Rakovec-Felser, 2014). In a patriarchal society, men are expected to be fully responsible for their families. An economically dependent man behaves contrary to the norm. Based on the theory, the man can express his control by abusing the wife. In patriarchal societies, violence and abuse towards women are also tolerated (Rakovec-Felser, 2014). A patriarchal society influences intimate partner abuse due to men’s economic dependency.
How to Reduce the Risk of Intimate Partner Abuse
Economic dependency is one of the factors that influence intimate partner abuse. Based on a study in Nepal, women who are financially independent experience a lower risk of violence than women who are dependent on their husbands (Dhungel et al., 2017). For low-income earners, intimate partner abuse still affects the working females because they depend on their husbands (Dhungel et al., 2017). In some settings, being financially independent influences violence differently. For example, women’s employment has been associated with increased violence, or it was unimpactful. The increase in violence mostly occurs in patriarchal societies where the man’s authority is threatened. In cases where violence is reduced, female empowerment reduces stress because of increased cash flow and economic security (Dhungel et al., 2017). It also gives the woman the capability and confidence to leave or threaten to leave the relationship, raising the man’s level of appreciation of her worth. Empowering women can lower the risk of intimate partner abuse resulting from women’s economic dependency.
Treatment for Intimate Partner Abuse
Duluth model is one of the interventions for intimate partner abuse perpetrators. The model uses the feminist model view, which perceives intimate partner abuse as a way for perpetrators to exercise their power and control (Snead, Bennett, & Babcock, 2018). It only targets male perpetrators because of their perceived power over women. The model aims to reeducate the perpetrators about different types of relationships so they can abandon their authoritarian attitude (Snead et al., 2018). The treatment could be ideal for economically dependent men because they would learn how to be the head of the family still while the wife is earning a higher income. It could also be used by emotionally dependent men to learn how to develop their self-worth without their partners. The drawback of this treatment is that it cannot be used to treat emotionally dependent females.
Gender-Based cognitive behavioral interventions can also be used to prevent intimate partner abuse. In cognitive behavioral therapy, the perpetrator learns a new nonviolent behavior to replace the violent one (Snead et al., 2018). Snead et al. (2018) add that cognitive behavioral therapy sessions involve discussions about the pros and cons of violent behavior and finding alternative ways of solving conflicts. This treatment can be used by perpetrators to learn nonviolent behavior. It may be ineffective because it does not change the underlying beliefs that foster violence. However, it is advantageous because it focuses on both male and female perpetrators. Cognitive behavioral therapy can aid in reducing intimate partner violence by reeducating the perpetrators.
Another method of reducing intimate partner abuse is Achieving Change Through Values-Based Behavior (ACTV). The method encourages perpetrators to recognize and control positive and negative emotions and lower their attachment (Snead et al., 2018). The motivating factors are the individuals’ values, which are meant to create change in their behaviors. The method also creates a collaborative environment by making the facilitators nonjudgmental. The difference between this method and the Duluth model and cognitive behavioral therapy is that ACTV creates change without targeting the perpetrators’ beliefs. This method can be used to change the behavior of emotionally and economically dependent men. Research reveals that ACTV shows better results than cognitive behavioral therapy and the Duluth model by reducing the domestic assault charges of perpetrators (Snead et al., 2018). ACTV could also be used to reduce intimate partner abuse.
Conclusion
Marital dependency can lead to intimate partner abuse. Economically dependent females are at a high risk of experiencing intimate partner abuse. On the other hand, emotionally dependent males can be abusive. Similarly, economically dependent men can be abusive. The association between emotionally dependent females and intimate partner abuse has not been explored. Intimate partner abuse can be reduced by making economically dependent females financially independent. Emotionally and economically dependent men can go through the Duluth model, cognitive behavioral therapy, or ACTV. It is not suggested which is the best treatment method; therefore, the patient can choose best on their preference. It may be impossible to eradicate intimate partner abuse caused by marital dependency since power and control will always vary. It is highly unlikely that the husband and wife have equal power and control in their relationship. Couples should learn how to solve conflicts without disputes.
References
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Dhungel, S., Dhungel, P., Dhital, S. R., & Stock, C. (2017). Is economic dependence on the husband, a risk factor for intimate partner violence against female factory workers in Nepal? BMC Women’s Health, 17(1), 82.
Petruccelli, F., Diotaiuti, P., Verrastro, V., Petruccelli, I., Federico, R., Martinotti, G., … & Janiri, L. (2014). Affective dependence and aggression: an exploratory study. BioMed Research International.
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