Social disapproval of wife assults: a national survey of Singapore.

Abstract

This study gauges the extent of and factors associated with social approval of a husbands use of force against his wife in Singapore. Data were obtained from a 2-stage stratified cluster sample of 510 residents of Singapore. Indices were constructed on patriarchal sex roles in marriage approval of force and perception of force. 64.6% strongly disagreed 29.5% disagreed and 5.5% agreed with husbands use of force against wives. 93.1% considered assault a crime. Respondents perceive an attack as assault if the husband bashes her against the wall (89.4%) smashes things (28.7%) uses a weapon against her (96.8%) pushes or shoves her (66.7%) kicks her (88.8%) slaps her (70.3%) or hits her with a fist (94.4%). The degree of force was considered major for bangs against the wall (81.0%) smashed things (30.6%) use of a weapon (96.4%) pushes (48.5%) kicks (79.6%) slaps (48.0%) and hits (84.9%). Use of force was mostly disapproved or strongly disapproved of for all 7 behaviors. 22-25% approved of force when the wife abused the children or was sexually involved with another man. Under 7% approved of force for the remaining 5 behaviors. Approval of force was statistically significantly related to unmarried status Indian ethnic status and residence in low-cost housing. 16% of variance was accounted for. Approval of force for wifes abusing children or extramarital sex was explained by 74% and 66% of cases respectively with 4 variables. Findings were similar to those of Greenblat (1985) among American college students.

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