You may think that the increase in the number of educated and working women in our country would lead to their overall empowerment. However, a recent study proves otherwise. According to The Indian Express, the latest National Family Health Survey asked people from across 18 states whether a husband beating his wife is justified. The results are shocking.
83.8% of women in Telangana believe men are justified to beat their wives. This is followed by Andhra Pradesh with a rate of 83.6% and Karnataka with 76.9%. On the other hand, 70.4% of men in Telangana believe that beating a wife is justified whereas, in Karnataka, it is a concerning 81.9% and in Andhra, it is 66.5%. The percentage is the least in Himachal Pradesh where 14.8% of women and 14.2% of men believe the same.
The situations which justify such domestic violence include – If she (the wife) goes out without telling him, if she neglects the house or the children, if she argues with him, if she refuses to have sex with him, if she doesn’t cook food properly, if he suspects her of being unfaithful, and if she shows disrespect for in-laws. The most common reasons among the lot are showing disrespect to in-laws and neglecting the house and children.
“This kind of patriarchal mentality is deeply imbibed in the minds of the women who think that serving their family and husband should be their first priority,” said Sharada A L, director of Population First, an NGO working for women rights.
People online were left flabbergasted on seeing the numbers. Many expressed their condemnation. Have a look:
Disgusting, disturbing, bitter truth!#DomesticViolence #domesticviolenceawareness#UNDayfordomesticviolence
Is husband justified in beating the wife? Survey has telling responseshttps://t.co/MszKw9oSil— Dr.CeeVee (@cvadhana) November 27, 2021
Our world is Chieftain society so they think that women is their property we can use it anytime anywhere.That is wrong and shameful for whole society.She give us birth and bring us in that world they why we insult her publicly? Educated and other people involve in it.
— arvind sharma (@kkr_arvind) November 28, 2021
For the first time I am really ashamed of Telangana- 83% say it is ok to beat women??? No wonder T states have highest divorce rate…..Please wake up and smell the coffee…Forget touching, you hit a women…it’s the end of the road for that marriage https://t.co/EXUtKCTvhc
— iReddy_Sona (@ireddy_sona) November 27, 2021
We live in a society where these kind of surveys are even done by media @IndianExpress and the results are more disappointing!
Is husband justified in beating the wife? Survey has telling responseshttps://t.co/cxod5hcSWQ— Dave♥️🧣 (@tayla_dave) November 27, 2021
We have so many barbaric ideas to overcome. Responses to the question, “In your opinion, is a husband justified in hitting or beating his wife?”, during the latest National Family Health Survey are horrifying. #abuse #GenderBasedViolence https://t.co/qOlRJE1QBx pic.twitter.com/EJOnvV4Pjf
— Ami • অমি (@switchshot) November 27, 2021
to all who say there is too much feminism in India. Is husband justified in beating the wife? Survey has telling responses https://t.co/nbWsDSn9u0 via @IndianExpress
— tony kurian (@mtonykurian) November 27, 2021
Is husband justified in beating his wife? A staggering number of men AND WOMEN say some behaviour (like ignoring the house or going out without telling him) make it okay for a man to beat his wife. This is upsetting, worrying, and just another sign of internalised misogyny. pic.twitter.com/GpTZ7I9GJz
— Nandini Bhalla (@nandinibhalla) November 27, 2021
What are your views regarding this study? Tell us.