The Myth of Ideal Masculinity: Traits, Blood Revenge Practices and Their Impact on Women In Sebentera Kebele, Dab At Woreda, North Gondar Administrative Zone
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Date
2011-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The Myth of ideal masculine traits has links with the genesis of blood revenge practices.
Since blood revenge practices bring serious impact on women the myth of masculine
traits are co-responsible for the evils that follow. The custom of blood revenge is
prevalent in Sebentra kebele. It brings diverse socio-economic problems to the society in
general, and to women in particular. This study is made to address the traits of ideal
masculinity and their linkage with blood revenge and the impact of blood revenge
practices on women by using qualitative inquiry strategies. To this end, qualitative data
gathering methods ( semi-structured interview, focus group discussion, case studies, and
observation) were employed to obtain relevant information from the research
participants such as local elders, religious men, security forces, and women and men
both from the murderer's and victim's group. With regard to the study findings, it has
been found out that traits like sympathy, banditry, grudge holding, holding fire-arms,
courage and others are treated by the participants as "the traits of ideal (standardized)
masculinity. " These traits have a role in encouraging revenge killings. They are deeply
anchored in the patriarchal institutions and gender role expectations. BeSides, it has also
been found that blood revenge practices bring social, economic, psychological, political
and other impacts on women. The study has also explored the customGlY strategies of
settling disputes associated with blood revenge practices Thus, the study concludes that
in order to tackle the multi fold impacts of blood revenge practices on the society and
particularly on women, mainly the society's conception of masculine traits have to be
revisited and reconstructed in a different way.
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Keywords
Traits, Blood Revenge Practices