Gossip, Scandal, Shame and Honor Killing: A Case for Social Constructionism and Hegemonic Discourse

Abstract

A critical assessment of the cultural factors involved in the phenomenon of honor killing in the Middle East will be discussed in this paper. Through social constructionism and hegemonic discourse the following issues will be addressed: First, the role each cultural factor (gossip, scandal, and shame) plays in legitimizing and perpetrating the violence of honor killing. Second, unravel the mystery as to how these cultural factors became an integral part of the social control apparatus aimed at controlling and dominating women. Third, understand the ambivalent nature characterizing the role of agents of social control, including the state, the criminal justice system and the community in dealing with honor killing.