Portuguese-speaking women voice their opinions: using their words to teach about wife abuse.

摘要: Background This study examined Portuguese-speaking women's definitions of wife abuse and beliefs about appropriate responses to abuse. The goals were determine the breadth examine cultural stereotyping. information was sought in an effort design education strategies community. Methods One-on-one semistructured interviews conducted with 163 women living Toronto, Canada. participants' open-ended answers first coded using Qualitative Software Research NUD⁎IST then narrowed grouped. Responses tagged by group label generate descriptive statistics Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results Participants defined broadly respect kind, prevalence, severity. Six themes emerged: physical, psychological, sexual, financial, patriarchal, infidelity. provided various what should do actually response Most participants believed that leave their husbands and/or seek help abuse, but they remain quiet take very little action. Their explanations demonstrate hold stereotypes culture. Conclusions range reported suggests a continuum own words, can be created educate them how abusive acts are linked used maintain control over women. differences emerged suggest it may important challenge see patriarchy as widespread rather than particular