CSUB SOC 472 - Cross-Cultural Connections, Border-Crossings, and “Death by Culture”

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Cross-Cultural Connections, Border-Crossings, and “Death by Culture”Slide 2Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5Dowry Murder & Death by Domestic ViolenceDomestic Violence in the U.S. ContextDowry Murder: The Indian ContextThe Indian Context ContinuedDowry Murder Social ContextSummaryCross-Cultural Connections, Cross-Cultural Connections, Border-Crossings, and “Death Border-Crossings, and “Death by Culture”by Culture”ByByUma NarayanUma NarayanWhat does Narayan mean by the phrase:What does Narayan mean by the phrase:““Death by Culture”?Death by Culture”?What is wrong with the phrase: “They are What is wrong with the phrase: “They are burning women in India”?burning women in India”?Why is death by culture a problematic way of Why is death by culture a problematic way of thinking about violence against women in thinking about violence against women in “developing” countries?“developing” countries?Death by cultureDeath by cultureThe tendency to construct a practice such as The tendency to construct a practice such as dowry murder as a feature of culture rather dowry murder as a feature of culture rather than as a deviant practice.than as a deviant practice.Different practices that involve fire are conflated Different practices that involve fire are conflated (i.e., Sati and Dowry Murder)(i.e., Sati and Dowry Murder)Dowry murder is viewed as a function of Dowry murder is viewed as a function of religious culture (i.e., Hindu religion).religious culture (i.e., Hindu religion).Problems w/ Death by Culture ViewProblems w/ Death by Culture ViewGenerates inaccurate information Generates inaccurate information •Dowry murders are negatively sanctionedDowry murders are negatively sanctioned•Dowry murder and sati are different practices with Dowry murder and sati are different practices with different histories.different histories.Obscures cultural/religious variation Obscures cultural/religious variation •Depicts India/Indians as monolithicDepicts India/Indians as monolithic•Not all dowry murders are committed by Hindu’sNot all dowry murders are committed by Hindu’sObscures a broad range of women’s issues that Obscures a broad range of women’s issues that Indian feminists focus on: Dowry murder becomes Indian feminists focus on: Dowry murder becomes THE issue.THE issue.Reproduces negative stereotypesReproduces negative stereotypes•Invokes the “barbarian” otherInvokes the “barbarian” otherWhy “Death by Culture” dominates western Why “Death by Culture” dominates western thinking of women in developing countries:thinking of women in developing countries:Border crossings— the practice of dowry Border crossings— the practice of dowry murder is de-contextualized when it crosses murder is de-contextualized when it crosses borders.borders.Historical context and social forces are Historical context and social forces are obscured.obscured.•As dowry murder is uprooted from its context—As dowry murder is uprooted from its context—important information gets edited out.important information gets edited out.Dowry Murder & Death by Dowry Murder & Death by Domestic ViolenceDomestic ViolenceWhy is dowry murder in India hyper visible, Why is dowry murder in India hyper visible, while death by domestic violence in the U.S. is while death by domestic violence in the U.S. is invisible?invisible?Narayan is framing each as a form of domestic Narayan is framing each as a form of domestic violence.violence.She argues that we need to understand social She argues that we need to understand social context.context.Domestic Violence in the U.S. ContextDomestic Violence in the U.S. ContextFocus on a broad range of issues—widen the scope of Focus on a broad range of issues—widen the scope of domestic violence.domestic violence.Political structure shapes focus.Political structure shapes focus.•Existence of social programs and acceptance of divorce Existence of social programs and acceptance of divorce generates a focus on shelters.generates a focus on shelters.•Women are helped to: find a shelter, secure Protection Women are helped to: find a shelter, secure Protection Against Abuse orders, apply for aid.Against Abuse orders, apply for aid.Goal is to get women out of a violent marriage.Goal is to get women out of a violent marriage.Centering on death by domestic violence is not a good strategy.Centering on death by domestic violence is not a good strategy.Dowry Murder: The Indian ContextDowry Murder: The Indian ContextSexual violence was not part of the original feminist agenda Sexual violence was not part of the original feminist agenda (pg. 91)(pg. 91)Revised agenda focused on sexual violence:Revised agenda focused on sexual violence:Focus on dowry murder and police rapeFocus on dowry murder and police rapeDowry murder received sustained media attention for 2 Dowry murder received sustained media attention for 2 reasons:reasons:1.1.Middle class phenomenon (police rape was a poor Middle class phenomenon (police rape was a poor woman’s issue)woman’s issue)2.2.General awareness of violence against women, especially General awareness of violence against women, especially poor women.poor women.Dowry murder was a surprise; feminist were reframing Dowry murder was a surprise; feminist were reframing kitchen accidents as murder. kitchen accidents as murder.The Indian Context ContinuedThe Indian Context ContinuedNegative view of divorce.Negative view of divorce.Lack of state provided social, legal, and educational Lack of state provided social, legal, and educational services for women.services for women.Greater levels of female unemploymentGreater levels of female unemploymentTogether these factors made shelters less feasibleTogether these factors made shelters less feasibleThus, Indian feminists focused on dowry murder.Thus, Indian feminists focused on dowry murder.They could enact legislation and cultural sanctions They could enact legislation and cultural sanctions against this practice.against this practice.Dowry Murder Social ContextDowry Murder Social ContextA form of domestic violenceA form of domestic violenceEmerged in the 1970s (not a long standing tradition)Emerged in the 1970s (not a long standing tradition)Traditional dowry linked to spirituality (material wealth Traditional dowry linked to spirituality (material wealth converted to spiritual wealth) and/or


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CSUB SOC 472 - Cross-Cultural Connections, Border-Crossings, and “Death by Culture”

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