dc.description.abstract | Women and children are mostly at the receiving end of abuse in homes and societies. Abuse against
women and children has been documented for many decades and is very common in many countries,
especially the developing countries. This study investigates the understanding and experiences of people
in the Teshie district of Ghana on physical abuse of men and women. This study also seeks to know the
motives and reasons of people on the physical abuse of women and children.
Using purposive sampling technique, the study recruited 20 informants; 10 men and 10 women. The
informants were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. The data was analyzed using the thematic
approach where data from interviews were transcribed into plain text and grouped into themes.
Results from the study indicates that all informants have experienced physical abuse when they were
children. The majority of my female informants also reported that they have experienced physical abuse
from their partners and the majority of male informants also reported that they have at times abused their
wives, at least once in their marriage at the time of the interviews. All informants reported that they see the
physical abuse of children as a normal and justifiable act that is a part of society. Some informants on the
other hand also agreed that physical abuse of women is an act that should not be encouraged by society.
However, other informants gave some motives and reasons for physical abuse of women under which they
believe the abuse can be justified and understood.
One recommendation suggested in the study is that, the government should create more awareness
through public education to make people understand the various physical and health effects that physical
abuse has on its victims. | en |