Generational Approaches Toward Gender-Based Violence: Beliefs, Impact, and Solutions.

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Psychology
• Criminology

Background:

• Violence against women remains a persistent global issue, despite generational efforts to eradicate it.
• Understanding age-differentiated perceptions of violence is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify convergences and divergences in how young people and adults perceive violence against women.
• To highlight potential future solutions based on these perceptions.
• To explore age-related differences in victimization experiences, particularly for those witnessing violent acts.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection.
• Questionnaires were administered to a large sample of participants (N=628).
• Focus groups were conducted with both youth and adult participants (N=19) to gather in-depth insights.

Main Results:

• Both young people and adults largely agreed on the nature of the problem and potential solutions.
• A key convergence was the shared belief that victims hold individual responsibility for addressing violence.
• This perception of individual responsibility exists irrespective of its impact on interpersonal relationships with perpetrators.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights a significant generational consensus on the individual responsibility of victims in combating violence against women.
• This perception may overlook systemic factors and the broader societal context of gender-based violence.
• Future interventions should consider both individual and societal approaches to effectively address violence against women.