Introduction
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive issue globally, with profound social, economic, and psychological impacts. This essay contrasts the common-sense approach to understanding GBV with a sociological analysis, focusing on how the sociological imagination offers deeper insights into structural and cultural factors. Specifically, it examines GBV in Eswatini, a small Southern African nation with alarmingly high rates of violence against women. The discussion will first outline the common-sense perspective, then contrast it with a sociological approach, and finally apply the sociological imagination, as conceptualised by C. Wright Mills, to explain GBV in Eswatini. By doing so, this essay aims to highlight the limitations of individualistic explanations and the value of structural analysis in addressing complex social issues.
Common-Sense Approach to Gender-Based Violence
The common-sense approach to GBV often relies on everyday assumptions and personal experiences to explain the phenomenon. Typically, it attributes violence to individual failings, such as a perpetrator’s anger, jealousy, or substance abuse. In this view, GBV is seen as an isolated act committed by a ‘bad’ person, with solutions focusing on punitive measures like imprisonment or individual therapy. For instance, in public discourse, media outlets might frame GBV as a result of personal pathology, ignoring broader societal influences. While this perspective is accessible and resonates with personal observations, it lacks depth, failing to address the systemic roots of violence. It overlooks how cultural norms, power imbalances, and economic conditions might perpetuate GBV, reducing a complex issue to simplistic, often victim-blaming narratives. Indeed, such an approach struggles to explain why GBV is disproportionately prevalent in certain contexts or communities, including Eswatini.
Sociological Analysis of Gender-Based Violence
In contrast, a sociological analysis moves beyond individual explanations to examine GBV as a product of social structures and cultural norms. It considers how power dynamics, particularly patriarchal ideologies, shape gender relations and enable violence. Sociologists argue that GBV is not merely a personal failing but a manifestation of systemic inequalities embedded in institutions like family, law, and economy (Dobash and Dobash, 1979). For example, gender norms that position men as dominant and women as submissive can normalise violence as a means of control. Furthermore, economic dependency often traps victims in abusive situations, while legal systems may fail to protect them due to biased frameworks. This approach, therefore, identifies GBV as a social problem requiring structural solutions, such as policy reform and cultural change, rather than solely individual interventions.
Applying the Sociological Imagination to GBV in Eswatini
C. Wright Mills’ concept of the sociological imagination encourages connecting personal troubles to public issues, linking individual experiences to historical and social contexts (Mills, 1959). Applying this to GBV in Eswatini reveals how cultural, economic, and historical factors intersect to sustain violence. Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, has one of the highest rates of GBV globally, with studies indicating that over 40% of women experience physical or sexual violence (UN Women, 2020). A common-sense view might attribute this to individual men’s aggression, but the sociological imagination points to deeper issues. For instance, Eswatini’s patriarchal traditions, including polygamy and bride price practices (lobola), often reinforce women’s subordination, legitimising male control over female bodies. Economically, high levels of poverty and unemployment exacerbate tensions, with women’s dependency on men limiting their ability to escape abuse (World Bank, 2021). Historically, colonial legacies and post-independence inequalities have entrenched gender disparities, while weak legal protections fail to deter perpetrators. Thus, GBV in Eswatini is not just a personal issue but a public one, rooted in systemic inequalities that require collective action to address.
Conclusion
This essay has contrasted the common-sense approach to GBV, which focuses on individual behaviour, with a sociological analysis that emphasises structural and cultural factors. While the common-sense view offers a surface-level understanding, it fails to account for the broader forces shaping violence. By applying the sociological imagination to GBV in Eswatini, it becomes clear that personal experiences of violence are inseparable from public issues like patriarchy, poverty, and historical inequities. These insights underscore the need for systemic interventions, such as strengthening legal frameworks and challenging cultural norms, to effectively combat GBV. Ultimately, a sociological approach not only deepens our understanding but also points to more sustainable solutions, highlighting the critical role of structural change in addressing social problems.
References
- Dobash, R. E. and Dobash, R. P. (1979) Violence Against Wives: A Case Against the Patriarchy. Free Press.
- Mills, C. W. (1959) The Sociological Imagination. Oxford University Press.
- UN Women (2020) Gender-Based Violence in Eswatini. UN Women Data Hub.
- World Bank (2021) Eswatini: Economic Overview and Gender Inequality Report. World Bank Publications.
