Factors Influencing Women to Remain in Abusive Marriages: A Case Study of Phalama Village, Thulamela Municipality

Abstract

Abusive marriage is a deeply upsetting and harmful partnership where one partner uses violence, manipulation, or other forms of control to dominate the other. There are cultural and traditional practices, including African proverbs that contribute to married women remaining in an abusive marriage, such as ‘lebitla la mosadi ke bogadi in Sepedi and “Vhida la musadzi li vhuhadzi” in Tshivhenda. Direct translation is “a woman's grave is her matrimonial home”. Abusive marriages involve physical, psychological, verbal, emotional, and even sexual abuse. Victims often get trapped in a vicious cycle of toxicity, facing fear, humiliation, and loneliness. It is crucial to recognise warning signs such as financial problems, threats, social withdrawal from friends and family, and ongoing verbal abuse. These relationships damage mental health and self-esteem. The study was titled "Factors Influencing Women to Remain in Abusive Marriages: A Case Study of Phalama Village, Thulamela Municipality." The study adopted a qualitative research approach and employed an exploratory case study design. Given the nature of the study, the researcher designed a flyer to recruit participants. This process led 13 participants to voluntarily contact the researcher. The same participants led the researcher to reach an additional 7 participants (snowball sampling) who were 30 to 55 years who are in abusive marriages. The data was collected using face-to-face interviews and a semi-structured interview. The interview schedule was used to draft interview questions. The data collected were analysed using thematic analysis. The study adopted a Feminist theory. Ethical considerations, including informed consent, confidentiality, and anonymity, were adhered to. The study findings show that women stay in abusive marriages because of various reasons, including financial independence, poverty, patriarchal cultural norms and prioritising of children’s welfare over their own safety and fear of remarriage or being lonely. Several effects, including social, physical and psychological, were highlighted, as were support services, such as counselling services. The study recommended support for married women who are experiencing abuse in their marriages with systems that could empower and protect them.