A Comprehensive Approach
Gender-based violence is entrenched in different levels of our social environment, so if we are to work effectively to end violence, we must address factors at each level that contribute to the perpetuation of gender-based violence in our society.
Factors at the individual, relationship, community, and societal levels of our social environment interact with and reinforce one another, so focusing only on changing factors at one level of the environment will not lead to a significant reduction in gender-based violence. Neither will leaving men and boys out of the prevention equation—they are half the actors in our environment.
To see the risk factors for gender-based violence at each level, click on the levels in the social ecology model below.
Individual risk factors for using gender-based violence
Many aspects of an individual's attitudes and behaviors, as well as past experiences, can influence his risk of using violence. These include:
- Attitudes about gender roles
- Hostility toward women
- Social isolation and depression
- Alcohol and drug use
- Violence in family of origin
- Coercive sexual fantasies and other attitudes and beliefs supportive of sexual violence
- History of sexual abuse as a child
Risk factors for the use of gender-based violence in relationships
People in an individual's closest social circle—peers, partners, and family members—all have the potential to shape that person's behavior and experience. Factors that increase risk as a result of relationships include:
- Associations with people who support or tolerate gender-based violence
- Power and control conflicts within intimate relationships
- Patterns of poor interpersonal communication
- Male dominance in the relationship or family
- Economic stress
- Emotionally unsupportive family environment
- Family honor considered more important than the health and safety of the individual
- Attitudes of entitlement and male privilege
- Role models for violent behavior, such as training in the military or in sports
Community risk factors for gender-based violence
Community environments such as schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods help shape an individual's behavior and beliefs. Factors that increase risk in these arenas include:
- Social and institutional tolerance of gender-based violence
- Attitudes and gender norms that support gender-based violence
- Gender role socialization that promotes unequal power between men and women
- Lack of support from police and the judicial system
- Weak community sanctions against gender-based violence
- Poverty and economic inequality
- Little or no community engagement in prevention
Societal risk factors for gender-based violence
Personal relationships and community interactions are heavily influenced by broader societal forces, such as economic interests, social norms, cultural beliefs, laws and policies, institutional practices, and political ideologies. Risk factors that contribute to gender-based violence at this level include:
- Historical and societal patterns that glorify violence against women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people
- Traditional gender norms that support male superiority and sexual entitlement
- Religious or cultural belief systems
- Economic and social policies that create or sustain gaps and tensions between groups of people
- Negative portrayals of women and LGBT communities in the media
- Weak laws and policies related to gender-based violence
- Weak laws and policies related to sexism and homophobia
- High levels of crime and other violence, war and militarism, and all forms of sexual exploitation
Reflection Questions
These questions will help you discuss and understand the causes of gender based violence in social environments.
- What are the most important factors underlying gender-based violence? Why?
- How are these factors related to one another?
- Are there other factors that are not outlined in the social ecology model?
Go to the Discussion Board to share experiences on using the social ecology model and other model to develop people’s understanding of gender-based violence.
Recommended Reading
“The Seven P’s of Men’s Violence” by Michael Kaufman explores the root causes of men’s violence and presents a holistic picture of the factors behind violence.
Concepts in Depth
Read the Centers for Disease Control’s Intimate Partner Violence: Fact Sheet for more on violence risk factors as well as the occurrence and consequences of violence.
Go to the next section Countering Objections to read responses to common doubts about working with men and boys.
