(Un)Holy Connections? Understanding Woman Abuse in Hinduism

Abstract

Abstract Violence against Hindu women is often traced to misogynist religious directives that began with the ancient law-giver Manu. However, scholars and lay people have given most weight to the scriptural prescriptions of woman abuse in Hinduism while virtually ignoring the positive directions for respecting women. Although Hinduism is one of the oldest religions in the world, it is more a way of life than a formal scripture-based religion. The fundamental features of Hindu cultures, collective identity, personal humility, familial authority, insider/outsider distinction, dichotomous gender roles, extended family, and belief in karma, contribute in complex ways to violence against women in the family. In addition, Hindu masculinity, which has been reconstructed as aggressive superiority in response to the emasculation of men in colonial India, is most readily expressed along gender lines and dominance over women. Nonetheless, Hindu mythology is replete with positive male role models that may be utilized to encourage Hindu men to move toward caring and honorable masculinities. Keywords Domestic Violence Intimate Partner Collective Identity Battered Woman Abusive Relationship