Features of Cultural Immersion - Essay Example

CULTURAL IMMERSION Cultural Immersion Domestic violence is a situation where by a partner uses abusive means to gain maximum control over the other in a marriage or relationship.one takes advantage of the power they have over the other partner in a relationship to keep them under check. The abuse may be physical, emotional, social or worse still, sexual. Domestic violence is quite a problem especially to the general growth and development of a society. It pulls down progress in terms of loss of labor, and increased medical costs (Diller, 2010). The effects run through family lines hence affecting the future generations too. Children suffer the pains of their parents. Women suffer domestic violence more as compared to their male counterparts. This is the most experienced form of abuse against women in society. The World Health Organization, in its reports, argues that almost every married woman has at one point in time been in some way abused by their partners. There are several causes of domestic violence on women.one of the major causes of this abuse against women is said to be cultural beliefs. Traditional norms consider women as weak and entitled to men. They are in most societies considered as sex objects and their major role in a family is to sire children, and take care of the homes (Diller, 2010). Decision making and other important issues are left for men.in such male chauvinistic societies, women are always fully dependent on men and they can at no point in time be allowed to make any decisions on their own. With education and other factors of modernization, women are beginning to rediscover themselves hence willing to fight for their rights. On the other hand, men still need to maintain their status quo in their society hence triggering violence and disagreements (Diller, 2010). In fact, in some cases, men who abuse their wives are strongly considered powerful and disciplinarians. They feel they are just performing their duties of maintaining peace and order in their families. This leaves women with less choices rather than falling victims of such violence. Due to such cultural requirements, women are not allowed to take divorce as an option; they remain sired to their men and opt to suffer. Also, since they are also not allowed to do income generating roles, the overdependence on their men economically forces then to prefer staying in violence than leaving. Some of them prefer suffering than being the laughing stalks as victims of abuse. However, when a woman cannot stand it anymore and finally decides that enough is enough, they choose to leave. Due to cultural norms again, most of the women who quit their marriages will not be freely welcomed to their parental homes. It is considered degrading and shameful, and so they typically lack a place to go. This is particularly applicable to women with less or no prior income generating sources. These are often culture tied women who fully depended on their men and have nothing to start with, they end up homeless. These women end up torn between the violence at home and life on the streets (Diller, 2010). Note that this does not only affect the abused wife, but also their children especially the young ones that cannot do without mothers care. They therefore also suffer the same fate, homelessness. They might receive temporal help and shelter from well-wishers, although it is never a permanent solution. I have had an opportunity to interact with the homeless due to domestic violence. Homelessness, just like domestic violence, is quite depressive to the parties involved.it has quite dramatic effects on the lives of those involved.it often has chronic damages on one’s mental growth, especially the children. Most children and the mothers end up traumatized due to the sudden change of situations. Most of these women are always very bitter and often disregard men and marriages. They struggle to survive. Some of them bear permanent marks due to violence. They develop negative attitudes in life and some tend to give up. I have learnt quite a number of things about this culture.it is unfair and should be done away with or regulated to accommodate the needs of every individual. Every human being, regardless of their gender, has rights that should be respected. Women, regardless of their physical strength and sizes, should be treated equally with their male counterparts and be given same opportunities. Women should be liberated and given slots in decision making (Diller, 2010). Men should learn to appreciate them as equal partners with sane minds and ability to do just what they can do. This will help cub cases of domestic violence since there would be notable respect among them hence more understanding. Issues on human rights should be taken seriously. I am now competent in cultural issues. Culture is a people’s way of life that should be respected and appreciated. It’s important to understand cultural diversity. Different people in different parts of the world have different approaches to life and different rules that govern their existence. It is therefore important to know what people prefer in order to know how to approach them. Also, people should be willing to compromise in order to live in peace with others from different cultures. Those cultures that are oppressive and unfair should be abolished. We live in a dynamic world and everything should be dynamic in reference to current circumstances. Before my experience with domestic violence, I viewed women as strong beings who whatsoever happened, kept their families going. Most women keep things to themselves. It is hard to tell what they go through until you meet the homeless. The situation is pathetic. Every woman has their own tale and experience.it made me view the abused women in a different dimension. I feel they need liberation and help. They need to be cared for and their rights should be accorded. Women need to be mobilized in order to break the fear and convince them to publicly and courageously shame the act (Diller, 2010). I feel that the men responsible should be punished. There is an urgent need for action; women are being raped, others losing their lives and many more suffering. I am now quite passionate about this group of people. We are all human and deserve equal treatment in this society. After this experience, you definitely become biased and lean on one side; women’s side. You view men in a different way and consider them evil. This may cause chaos between the affected women and men. They would definitely want to retaliate if given a chance. There is so much more to domestic violence than meets the eye. Homelessness is not just lacking a place to go.it involves torture; physical, mental, emotional, and psychological torture. It means losing the support of the people you cared for.it requires one to start totally afresh and adjust to new circumstances.it involves taking care of responsibilities alone. Public health should take the initiative to create general awareness on effects of domestic violence on women and society at large. Cases of inequality should be addressed and the initial causes of violence such as culture and religious beliefs should be tackled from the root (Diller, 2010). Women are creative creatures who when a given chance can do a lot for the development of the situation. I feel that instead of people degrading them when they come out in public to report cases of violence, they should be encouraged and appreciated as normal peers and given maximum support in terms of shelter, finance and emotional. They go through emotional breakdown and sometimes isolate themselves. There is nothing to be ashamed of; it takes a lot of courage to come out. The more people accept them, the easier it becomes for them to heal and move on with lives. Instead of women being victimized, they should be used as agents of change (Diller, 2010). Those who have already suffered or had an experience with them like me, should publicly share their experiences and help the others still leaving in fear. In conclusion, there is a great relationship between cultural beliefs, domestic violence and homelessness. They are related and if not cabbed, cause a lot of suffering to women. Most cultures favor men hence elevating their grounds as compared to women. This gives them an automatic upper hand over women; thus, they tend to mishandle them. Some women quit and choose to suffer the consequences of homelessness. All in all, these people require the emotional support. We should learn to base our arguments on culture and gender in consideration with their effects on our social lives. References Diller, J. V. (2010). Cultural Diversity: A Primer for the Human Services. Stamford, Connecticut: Brooks/Cole. Read More