“even in cases of the most extreme violence, such as burning, choking and acid throwing, practices which 95% of the sample thought illegal, one-third of the sample considered them acceptable. Respondents not only believed that most causes (going out without telling one’s spouse, food being late or not well prepared, children being neglected) justified yelling, cursing, and insulting, they also considered causes such as arguing, not showing respect, and raising questions about spending money, girlfriends, or sex workers as justification for severe abuse and murder.” (Walsh 2007: 30-31)
Similar views exist about the appropriateness of using violence against children, especially as a punishment. Miles and Varin (2005) reported that approximately 80% of children surveyed had witnessed parents beating a child and about half of children (nearly 40% of girls and 50% of boys) had been personally beaten (e.g., hit with a stick, kicked, etc.). The same survey revealed that over 40% of children believed that such beatings were at least sometimes justified. (41-49)
The cultural connection is demonstrated by the way the children answered with Khmer proverbs -
When asked if parents have the right to beat their children, children said, "Yes, they should because the children make the mistake, make them angry". They use the Khmer proverb, "Yes because they have more knowledge than us, they have seen the sunlight before us. They have seen the world before us", "They have known us since we were very young". In one discussion they mentioned the obligation/reciprocity that children have towards their parents. (Miles and Varin 2005: 41)Further, the social acceptance of violence against women was prevalent enough to be addressed by MOWA1 in its indicators of change, where increasing the percentage of people who were "aware that violence against women is wrongful behaviour and a criminal act" is made a goal. (MOWA 2004: 34) This is confirmed by Yoshioka et al (2001), who found that 24% to 36% of their survey sample (ethnically Cambodian, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean) believed that violence against a wife is justified in at least some situations. This belief, as well as a link to male privilege, was strongest in Southeast Asian populations.
***Notes1) MOWA is the Ministry of Women's Affairs in the Royal Government of Cambodia.
