Table 1 Opinions on the justifiability of wife beating, based on responses from 2139 slum-dwelling women interviewed at around 6 weeks postpartum
A husband is justified in hitting or beating his wife if… | n (%) |
|---|---|
She shows disrespect for her in-laws | 671 (31) |
She doesn’t cook food properly | 398 (19) |
She goes out without telling him | 413 (19) |
She argues with him | 391 (18) |
She does not fulfill his expectations of her household or childcare duties | 347 (16) |
He loves her, so he has a right to beat her | 291 (14) |
She refuses to have sex with him | 165 (8) |
He suspects her of being unfaithful | 146 (7) |
He is drunk | 136 (6) |
He or his family are unhappy with her marriage contribution | 102 (5) |
Respondents | 2139 (100) |