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Cultural Implications

Domestic Violence: A Cultural Perspective

Nobuhiro Suzuki, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, Fukushima University, Japan

Domestic violence (DV) refers to rough or harmful behaviour occurring within an intimate relationship regardless of marital status. Domestic violence can be seen as structural violence since it is encouraged and maintained by a climate of male superiority and female subjugation inherent in the economic, social and cultural background of society.

DV is finally being recognized as a social problem in Japan and social agencies as well as shelters are being established throughout the country in an attempt to deal with it. Recently, there is increased awareness that DV transcends national and racial boundaries. It is therefore not limited to the understanding of DV peculiar to Japan or to the specific societal and cultural environment in Japan.

Nevertheless, this paper will identify some of the barriers that stand in the way when dealing with DV in Japan. In doing so, the issues that are raised may be useful for non-Japanese service providers who work with Japanese clients.

1."There will be a reward someday in the future for present suffering"

The Japanese are known for their 'culture of shame'. Ruth Benedict, the anthropologist pointed out that the Japanese are always conscious of how others see them and as such, the individual is most at ease and capable of functioning actively when behaving like other people in the surrounding environment. Out of this climate emerges the mentality that 'my common sense is everyone else's common sense.'

Hence, individuals experiencing domestic violence view themselves as having fallen outside the realm of communal 'common sense'. They feel alone, as if they are the only one who is different, the only one who is not normal. The person's sense of loneliness and alienation is intensified.

On the other hand, tradition regards the endurance of hardships as the 'grace' or 'virtue' of the Japanese. Not only is enduring hardships regarded as a virtue in familial and male-female relationships, it holds true in the relationship between an individual and society. The common saying 'selfless patriotic service' attests to this fact. The notion of a future reward for enduring present hardships, coupled with the restricting practice of not deviating from societal norms gives rise to a thought process that endures DV instead of talking and acting against it. The way of coping with domestic violence has been to look towards the future when one will be rewarded for present suffering, by being understood and validated.

2."Women are like a piece of furniture"

Family system and patriarchy dominate life in Japan. Power and authority reside with the father of the family. In such a situation, the relationship of the father as protector, and the children as receivers of protection is inclined to take on the character of the ruler and the ruled. This applies not only to his children but also to his wife.

The notion that men work outside the home while women do domestic work and care for the children is commonplace in Japan. There is a saying that a child binds a married couple. In Japan, even if violence is present, the wife feels unable to seek divorce because of her role in caring for the children. Restriction imposed by her gender role of childcare presents a complex structure where the wife is in effect, controlled by the presence of children.

Taxation and social security systems further encourage the strict division of gender roles and inhibit women from exercising freedom of choice.

For example, the taxation system operates under the principle of a 'household unit'. The household and not the individual are considered as a unit for taxation purposes. The husband's income tax is reduced if his wife's income remains below a stipulated amount. In order not to adversely affect her husband's income, the wife is conscious of how much she is able to earn. Likewise, social security systems such as health insurance and retirement pension regard a wife as being subordinate to her husband. These systems have contributed to the idea that marriage means the support of a woman by a man, making it extremely difficult for a married woman to consider divorce or separation.

In Japan, the wife faces many obstacles in becoming financially independent because of the prejudices against working women and the difficulty of returning to the workplace. In addition, there is also the societal expectation that a wife should support her husband's career success.

3.Non-intervention in civil matters and the legal system

To deal with DV it is essential for the victim to be protected regardless of the obstacles the family may put in the way.

In Japan, wives murdered by their husbands constitute approximately 30% of all the murders committed in the country. On the other hand, only 1% of arrests for injury involved husbands and wives. These figures clearly depict the lack of intervention in family issues by social agencies and the law in the process that begins with violence and injury and ends with death. Ensuring privacy for the individual and family is closely tied into the infringement of human rights.

Laws relating to the family in Japan are based upon mutual support between family member and the relatives. Should a member become destitute or suffer from adversity, family and relatives are initially held responsible. Assistance rendered by the state or other administrative authorities only occurs much later. In this fashion, domestic violence also tends to be regarded as a matter calling for involvement of family and relatives.

Further, there is a criminal law interpretation that holds that the crime of rape cannot be applied to those cases that occur within a marriage. The reluctance of police and other professionals to view DV as a crime is due to the lack of supporting legal foundation.

4.Gender and school education

In dealing with DV, it is important for the victim to be able to speak up when she is placed at a disadvantage. It is also necessary for members of the society to seek social justice. School education in Japan has not carried out its social responsibility in inculcating such skills in the students. Gender perspectives emphasizing boyish boys and girlish girls are reflected in their upbringing and discipline in the home setting as well as in the group life and the learning environment of the school setting.

In recent years, educational activities are being reviewed from the viewpoint of enhancing skills in self-expression and in problem solving. The goal is however to adapt to the present circumstances and societal conditions. The anachronistic idea that classes in home economics was training to become a good wife and a wise mother is beginning to wane. Nevertheless, many instances remain where unknowingly, gender discrimination takes place. For example, the classroom roll call sheet lists the boys' names first and then followed by the girls'.

The number of those who are well educated has increased and the gap is closing between the number of male and female students who enter universities. However, discrimination continues to exist against females who aspire for higher education and who strive to advance in the world.

5.Seeking help is a valuable right

Foreigners often say, "It is difficult to know exactly what a Japanese person is thinking." In plain words, they refer to the Japanese as not speaking out even if they are put in a disadvantageous position. Even when confronted with hardships, they regard it as a shame to seek help from others or a shame to admit they need help since to do so is to acknowledge they lacked ability. Possibly these thoughts are stronger among persons with higher status.

In general, when distressed or in difficulties, the Japanese tend to experience shame for what they see as their lack of effort, causing them to hold their concerns within themselves or give up trying.

DV is a clear infringement of human rights. To seek help from neighbours and professionals is to protect one's self emotionally and physically. It is a basic right that should be treated as a priority. It is not merely asking for pity.

Such help on the other hand, can serve as an opening for those who resort to violence. They can be educated so that genuine intimacy is recovered. A therapeutic environment can also be accessed. It will also protect the rights of the children and neighbours to live in a safe and worry free environment.

(Translated from the Japanese Language)