Pre-Departure Critique
While in India the research I will be conducting is based around Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and how the gender roles shared amongst young adults interconnect with IPV. Previous research done has shown an inverse relation between IPV (both lifetime or recent) and the educational level of woman, for example, women with no formal education were 4 times more likely to experience violence when compared to those with more than 12 years of education, furthermore, higher educated men were less likely to participate in IPV. It is no secret that in India -due to certain views on gender roles- women are less likely to achieve a more appropriate education. For such reasons, I'm traveling under the assumption that IPV will not only be vastly higher in India, but also not as condemned, unlike it is in more developed countries. This is likely due to the cultural views and scholarly restrictions women face due to their assigned gender roles (which keep them away from seeking proper education, while instead holding them responsible for domestic chores and their children) and an overall lesser degree of education in men, which as we have seen, results in a higher probability of violence.
I do factually know that the problem can be solved through education (as research has shown), however, I assume that it simply isn't easy as educating the victim. The views that both the instigator and victim hold in these cases partially stem from the culture itself, resulting in a higher probability that this behavior is congenitally seen as normal/typical by both sexes. Sadly, we can't be ethnocentric and just force our views upon them. To solve this issue, we must find a way to accept these views and re-wire them in a cogent manner. A task that proves to be complex but one that must be done as physical violence is unjustifiable even more so when put against the abstract context of cultural beliefs.
Specifically I want to find out how the habitants of India feel about this subject. Starting with a somewhat older group, such as those that are married with kids and are 30 or above, and then follow the same procedure with young adults, those above 15 but no older than late 20s. The socio-economic background of these people should be taken into account as well, for we know that education is an important variable. I believe that these group’s difference in opinion -or lack thereof- will tell us if any progress towards a change in mentality has been made, and from this I will be able to assess a more efficient plan to work towards the aforementioned goal.
IPV is truly a global health problem, one of ecumenical scope and something that I've witnessed in those around me while living in Peru. I want a sense of equality in both sexes so we, as a whole, can move on to other problems of even bigger scopes and I believe that this could be my contribution to the situation. The opportunity also allow me to build more hands on experience and since it is a field which I haven't explored as much, will result in a new learning experience that would help me become a more varied student, one which can provide knowledge on more than one subject hence, allowing me to better make a decision on what it is that I want to focus my future efforts on. Having experience on many branches will not only make me a better fit for any team, but also keep my doors open for future career paths.
I do factually know that the problem can be solved through education (as research has shown), however, I assume that it simply isn't easy as educating the victim. The views that both the instigator and victim hold in these cases partially stem from the culture itself, resulting in a higher probability that this behavior is congenitally seen as normal/typical by both sexes. Sadly, we can't be ethnocentric and just force our views upon them. To solve this issue, we must find a way to accept these views and re-wire them in a cogent manner. A task that proves to be complex but one that must be done as physical violence is unjustifiable even more so when put against the abstract context of cultural beliefs.
Specifically I want to find out how the habitants of India feel about this subject. Starting with a somewhat older group, such as those that are married with kids and are 30 or above, and then follow the same procedure with young adults, those above 15 but no older than late 20s. The socio-economic background of these people should be taken into account as well, for we know that education is an important variable. I believe that these group’s difference in opinion -or lack thereof- will tell us if any progress towards a change in mentality has been made, and from this I will be able to assess a more efficient plan to work towards the aforementioned goal.
IPV is truly a global health problem, one of ecumenical scope and something that I've witnessed in those around me while living in Peru. I want a sense of equality in both sexes so we, as a whole, can move on to other problems of even bigger scopes and I believe that this could be my contribution to the situation. The opportunity also allow me to build more hands on experience and since it is a field which I haven't explored as much, will result in a new learning experience that would help me become a more varied student, one which can provide knowledge on more than one subject hence, allowing me to better make a decision on what it is that I want to focus my future efforts on. Having experience on many branches will not only make me a better fit for any team, but also keep my doors open for future career paths.