Legitimizers of violence in heterosexual couples, taking into account gender as a social practice structure

Abstract

This study aimed to show the social representations
related to female victims, aggressors and services
providers as great legitimizers of violence against
women, considering their gender and social
practice in Barranquilla, Colombia. This is a
qualitative research, with a phenomenologicalhermeneutic approach and the theory of social
representations, which used in depth interviews
and content analysis as data collection technique.
Findings suggest violence used to regulate
behavior, passionate jealousy, conciliatory
strategies and the assumed women satisfaction
are legal means of violence in heterosexual
couples. We conclude this type of violence has
been established due to social representations,
stereotypes and beliefs that reinforce male
dominance, especially over female sexuality and
body as properties for their pleasure and forms of
authority, power, control and inequality, which are
imposed by the patriarchal model.