Perceptions on Gender Equality, Role and Rights of Men and Women in Family among Male Domestic Violence Perpetrators: A Qualitative Study

Men’s views ongender equality, role and rights of men and women within the family may influence the tendency for violence against woman. The objective of this study was to determine the perception of men with a history of committing domestic violence on equality, role and rights of men and women in the family in Tehran.

This study was of qualitative design and participants were selected via convenience sampling method among those who were referred to family counselor in Tehran. Data were collectedusing semi-structured interview and demographic questionnaire in 11 interview sessions and then analyzed.

From participants’ point of view, sexual, mental and emotional needs of husband and children were the most important duties of wife and providing welfare, comfort and security of family besides meeting pecuniary, mental and sexual needs of wife are underlying duties of man. More than half of participants did not believe in gender equity and had no idea about woman rights in marital relationship. Most participants did not recognize any sort of legitimate of illegitimate sexual relationship outside the bonds of marriage for married men.

The results of this study indicated that more than half of male perpetrators did not believe in equal rights of man and woman in family and did not have enough information about the rights of woman.