Question
You stay next to Thabo (28) and Zanele (26) who have been in a relationship for 4 years and live together in Bloemfontein. Initially, their relationship was passionate and loving. However, over the past 1 and a half years, the dynamics of their relationship have changed. Thabo, who recently lost his job as a construction worker and has been struggling to find a new job, has become increasingly controlling and says some not-so-nice words to Zanele most of the time. He frequently comments negatively on her appearance, her friends, her family, and the way she dresses and handles herself. He monitors her phone calls and social media activity, accusing her of infidelity without any basis. In the last six months, the situation has escalated. There have been several incidents of physical aggression. The first instance involved Thabo shoving Zanele during an argument about money. Most recently, Zanele went out with her friends (without permission, in his view). He slapped her across the face, leaving a visible bruise. He later apologized profusely, blaming his anger on stress and his feeling of inadequacy due to unemployment. Zanele, feeling isolated and ashamed, has not told anyone about the situation. She often tries to appease Thabo to avoid conflict and lives in constant fear of his unpredictable moods.
Zanele is a nurse at a local clinic and is the primary provider for the household. Thabo often belittles her career and suggests that she should be at home taking care of him. He isolates her by creating arguments whenever she plans to see her family or friends. Zanele has started to withdraw from her support network and shows signs of anxiety and depression. One day you approached Zanele to try and talk to her as a social psychology student because you learned about aggression, GBV, and domestic violence. Remember you are not a psychologist. You are only explaining things to her from a social psychology point of view.
Your task
1. Explain what is going on, using 5 different theories of gender-based violence (available on BB under Unit 8). Please do not use sub-theories from the same school of thought. Use the theories to explain Thabo's abusive behaviour towards Zanele. For each theory, clearly explain its core principles and how it applies to the specifics of this case.
2. Effects of aggressive and domestic violence: analyse the potential psychological, emotional, and social effects of Thabo's aggressiveness and the domestic violence Zanele is experiencing. Consider the impact on Zanele herself, but also briefly touch on the broader societal implication and potential intergenerational cycles of violence within a South African context.
Zanele is a nurse at a local clinic and is the primary provider for the household. Thabo often belittles her career and suggests that she should be at home taking care of him. He isolates her by creating arguments whenever she plans to see her family or friends. Zanele has started to withdraw from her support network and shows signs of anxiety and depression. One day you approached Zanele to try and talk to her as a social psychology student because you learned about aggression, GBV, and domestic violence. Remember you are not a psychologist. You are only explaining things to her from a social psychology point of view.
Your task
1. Explain what is going on, using 5 different theories of gender-based violence (available on BB under Unit 8). Please do not use sub-theories from the same school of thought. Use the theories to explain Thabo's abusive behaviour towards Zanele. For each theory, clearly explain its core principles and how it applies to the specifics of this case.
2. Effects of aggressive and domestic violence: analyse the potential psychological, emotional, and social effects of Thabo's aggressiveness and the domestic violence Zanele is experiencing. Consider the impact on Zanele herself, but also briefly touch on the broader societal implication and potential intergenerational cycles of violence within a South African context.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### 1. Theories of Gender-Based Violence
**a. Feminist Theory**
Feminist theory posits that gender-based violence is rooted in societal structures that perpetuate male dominance and female subordination. This theory highlights power imbalances in relationships and indicates that violence is often a tool used by men to exert control over women. In Zanele and Thabo's case, Thabo’s controlling behavior, insults about her career, and physical aggression can be seen as manifestations of patriarchal norms that dictate that a man's worth is tied to his ability to provide. His reactions to her success and independence illustrate an attempt to reassert control over the relationship, reinforcing harmful norms about gender roles.
**b. Social Learning Theory**
According to social learning theory, behaviors, including aggressive ones, are learned through observation and imitation of role models, often parents or significant figures in one's life. If Thabo grew up in an environment where aggression was normalized or if he observed male figures exerting control over women, he might mimic these behaviors. His violent actions towards Zanele, particularly his emotional abuse and control, could parallel the behavioral patterns he learned from his formative years, showcasing how learned behavior plays a role in perpetuating violence.
**c. Ecological Theory**
Ecological theory examines how individual behavior is influenced by different levels of social systems, including immediate environments (family and relationships), broader community contexts, and societal factors (cultural norms and economic conditions). In this scenario, Thabo's recent job loss may have created a stressor that impacts his self-esteem and sense of identity, leading him to exert control over Zanele to cope with his feelings of inadequacy. The added layer of financial instability can exacerbate tensions in a household, showcasing how economic factors intertwine with relationship dynamics.
**d. Attachment Theory**
Attachment theory suggests that early relationships with caregivers form the basis of future relationships and coping mechanisms. If Thabo experienced insecure or disorganized attachment in childhood, he might struggle with trust and insecurity in his adult relationships. His need to monitor Zanele’s social interactions and accusations of infidelity could stem from his own fears of abandonment or inadequacy. On the other hand, Zanele's response to his aggression and her attempts to appease him might reflect a pattern of anxious attachment, leading to her isolation and emotional distress.
**e. Psychological Perspective: Stress and Coping Theory**
Stress and coping theory emphasizes how individuals respond to stressful situations based on their coping strategies and psychological resources. Thabo's loss of employment is likely a significant stressor that has altered his coping mechanisms, leading to increased aggression as a maladaptive response. His inability to find a job may leave him feeling powerless, and in turn, he may react with aggression toward Zanele to regain a sense of control. For Zanele, her constant need to appease Thabo indicates that she is employing avoidance coping strategies, a common response to abusive situations, which only perpetuates her cycle of fear and anxiety.
### 2. Effects of Aggressive and Domestic Violence
**Effects on Zanele**
Zanele is likely to experience significant psychological effects due to prolonged exposure to Thabo's aggression. The visible bruises demonstrate the immediate physical consequences, but the emotional and psychological scars can be deep. She may develop PTSD symptoms, including intrusive memories, hyper-vigilance, and emotional numbing. Furthermore, feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and depression can emerge as she internalizes Thabo's derogatory comments and sees her social connections dwindle. This emotional distress can lead to difficulties in her professional life and social interactions, as the shame and isolation impede her ability to seek support.
**Broader Societal Implications**
The ramifications of domestic violence extend beyond the individual. Zanele's situation reflects patterns that are pervasive in society, particularly in cultures that show tolerance towards domestic abuse. The normalization of GBV can create an environment where such behavior is overlooked, further perpetuating cycles of violence. In a South African context, this is compounded by socio-economic challenges, where many individuals, particularly women, may feel economically trapped in abusive relationships due to financial dependence.
**Intergenerational Cycles of Violence**
The cycle of violence often continues across generations. Children who witness or experience domestic violence may grow up to accept similar behaviors as normative in their own relationships, perpetuating a vicious cycle of abuse. In Zanele's case, if children (current or future) were to witness this violence, it could deeply influence their understanding of relationships and conflict resolution, embedding attitudes that normalize aggression within intimate partnerships. This perpetuation illustrates how domestic violence not only affects individuals but cultivates a culture in which it is accepted, requiring robust societal interventions and support mechanisms to break the cycle.
In conclusion, Thabo's behavior towards Zanele can be understood through various theoretical lenses that provide insights into the underlying causes of his aggression and its impact on Zanele. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive interventions that consider individual, relational, and societal factors.
**a. Feminist Theory**
Feminist theory posits that gender-based violence is rooted in societal structures that perpetuate male dominance and female subordination. This theory highlights power imbalances in relationships and indicates that violence is often a tool used by men to exert control over women. In Zanele and Thabo's case, Thabo’s controlling behavior, insults about her career, and physical aggression can be seen as manifestations of patriarchal norms that dictate that a man's worth is tied to his ability to provide. His reactions to her success and independence illustrate an attempt to reassert control over the relationship, reinforcing harmful norms about gender roles.
**b. Social Learning Theory**
According to social learning theory, behaviors, including aggressive ones, are learned through observation and imitation of role models, often parents or significant figures in one's life. If Thabo grew up in an environment where aggression was normalized or if he observed male figures exerting control over women, he might mimic these behaviors. His violent actions towards Zanele, particularly his emotional abuse and control, could parallel the behavioral patterns he learned from his formative years, showcasing how learned behavior plays a role in perpetuating violence.
**c. Ecological Theory**
Ecological theory examines how individual behavior is influenced by different levels of social systems, including immediate environments (family and relationships), broader community contexts, and societal factors (cultural norms and economic conditions). In this scenario, Thabo's recent job loss may have created a stressor that impacts his self-esteem and sense of identity, leading him to exert control over Zanele to cope with his feelings of inadequacy. The added layer of financial instability can exacerbate tensions in a household, showcasing how economic factors intertwine with relationship dynamics.
**d. Attachment Theory**
Attachment theory suggests that early relationships with caregivers form the basis of future relationships and coping mechanisms. If Thabo experienced insecure or disorganized attachment in childhood, he might struggle with trust and insecurity in his adult relationships. His need to monitor Zanele’s social interactions and accusations of infidelity could stem from his own fears of abandonment or inadequacy. On the other hand, Zanele's response to his aggression and her attempts to appease him might reflect a pattern of anxious attachment, leading to her isolation and emotional distress.
**e. Psychological Perspective: Stress and Coping Theory**
Stress and coping theory emphasizes how individuals respond to stressful situations based on their coping strategies and psychological resources. Thabo's loss of employment is likely a significant stressor that has altered his coping mechanisms, leading to increased aggression as a maladaptive response. His inability to find a job may leave him feeling powerless, and in turn, he may react with aggression toward Zanele to regain a sense of control. For Zanele, her constant need to appease Thabo indicates that she is employing avoidance coping strategies, a common response to abusive situations, which only perpetuates her cycle of fear and anxiety.
### 2. Effects of Aggressive and Domestic Violence
**Effects on Zanele**
Zanele is likely to experience significant psychological effects due to prolonged exposure to Thabo's aggression. The visible bruises demonstrate the immediate physical consequences, but the emotional and psychological scars can be deep. She may develop PTSD symptoms, including intrusive memories, hyper-vigilance, and emotional numbing. Furthermore, feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and depression can emerge as she internalizes Thabo's derogatory comments and sees her social connections dwindle. This emotional distress can lead to difficulties in her professional life and social interactions, as the shame and isolation impede her ability to seek support.
**Broader Societal Implications**
The ramifications of domestic violence extend beyond the individual. Zanele's situation reflects patterns that are pervasive in society, particularly in cultures that show tolerance towards domestic abuse. The normalization of GBV can create an environment where such behavior is overlooked, further perpetuating cycles of violence. In a South African context, this is compounded by socio-economic challenges, where many individuals, particularly women, may feel economically trapped in abusive relationships due to financial dependence.
**Intergenerational Cycles of Violence**
The cycle of violence often continues across generations. Children who witness or experience domestic violence may grow up to accept similar behaviors as normative in their own relationships, perpetuating a vicious cycle of abuse. In Zanele's case, if children (current or future) were to witness this violence, it could deeply influence their understanding of relationships and conflict resolution, embedding attitudes that normalize aggression within intimate partnerships. This perpetuation illustrates how domestic violence not only affects individuals but cultivates a culture in which it is accepted, requiring robust societal interventions and support mechanisms to break the cycle.
In conclusion, Thabo's behavior towards Zanele can be understood through various theoretical lenses that provide insights into the underlying causes of his aggression and its impact on Zanele. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive interventions that consider individual, relational, and societal factors.