Marital Stress and Domestic Violence during the COVID- 19 Pandemic

Abstract

Marital stress and domestic violence is prevalent in every society around the world. It has become a major concern during the Covid-19 pandemic. Governments have resorted to lockdown measures in order to contain the pandemic. The pandemic has made the weaker and more vulnerable people in a household more exposed to abusive partners. Social isolation and home confinement have detrimental effects on one’s mental and physical well-being. Women have been shown to be at a very high risk from violence during The Covid—19 pandemic. The research paper aims to understand the factors which compel women to stay in abusive and stressful marriages and the ways in which they can be empowered to lead their life with dignity and self-respect. The cultural contexts of most societies force women to stay in abusive marriages as the woman is often portrayed as the symbol of unity in families. Understanding the cultural bindings of women trapped in abusive households during the COVID-19 pandemic is a very crucial aspect as this can help in understanding the fear and apprehensions of women trapped in destructive marriages. This can be a key factor which can make it easier for support groups while providing counselling and other kinds of support to women trapped in abusive marriages. The paper also discusses the impact of abusive relationships on children and how it negatively shapes their personality and their emotional well- being.

Keywords

• marital stress
• domestic violence
• cultural bindings
• emotional well- being
• pandemic