Palestinian students' attitudes toward honor killing crimes: a quantitative, cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Criminology
• Psychology

Background:

• Honor killings persist in Palestinian patriarchal culture, disproportionately affecting women.
• Younger, educated generations' attitudes toward honor killings require examination.
• Socialization and moral development influence beliefs on honor-based violence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Palestinian university students' attitudes toward honor killings.
• To explore the impact of gender, geography, and religious background on these attitudes.
• To understand the younger generation's perception of honor-based violence.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative, cross-sectional survey at An-Najah National University.
• Online questionnaire assessing attitudes toward honor killings and moral transgressions.
• Statistical analyses (chi-square, logistic regression) for demographic associations.

Main Results:

• Students largely justified honor killings for extramarital affairs but opposed them for non-sexual interactions.
• Male students showed stronger endorsement of honor-based violence than females.
• Moral disengagement, cognitive dissonance, and cultural factors influence attitudes.

Conclusions:

• Honor-based violence justifications persist among some youth.
• Psychological and educational interventions are crucial for attitudinal change.
• Challenging gender-based violence and reshaping social norms are vital for progress.