Social construction of women as legitimate victims of violence in Chinese societies

Abstract

Analyses of focus group discussions show that Chinese conceptions of women as legitimate victims of violence arc constructed through representations of men as sick or being controlled by their impulses and of women as sex objects or naggers who trigger men's impulses or potential for violence. As women's behaviors arc seen as precipitating factors, men are thus excused from their acts of violence and do not have to shoulder full responsibility for their violent behaviors. However, some young and educated Chinese reject various cultural myths, oppose victim-blaming explanations, and disrupt pro-violence social scripts.