Negotiating Masculinity, Violence, and Responsibility: A Situational Analysis of Young Nicaraguan Men’s Discourses on Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence

Abstract

This situational analysis study aims to explore the discourses that young Nicaraguan men use in their understanding of male intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual abuse toward women. Six urban and 8 rural focus group discussions including 91 men were conducted. Positional maps were used to articulate the positions taken in the data within 2 continuums of variation representing men’s reasoning around control over women and men’s responsibility for IPV and sexual abuse (SA). Nicaraguan men’s discourses ranged from challenging gender inequality, IPV, and SA to supporting the patriarchal gender order. A key finding shows that a discourse supporting gender equality and men’s full responsibility for IPV and SA is fighting to achieve recognition in this setting.

KEYWORDS:

• gender issues
• intimate partner violence
• rape
• sexual abuse