Intergenerational Transmission of Gender Based Domestic Violence in India: Some New Evidence

Gender-based domestic violence (GDV) has remained a major concern in India. Though, in the past, studies have identified intergenerational exposure to domestic violence as one of the major contributors, there is almost no evidence on the extent and determinants of intergenerational transmission of GDV in India. Using data from a sub-nationally representative study (Youth in India: Situation and Needs (2006-2007)), we investigate the extent and the patterns of intergenerational transmission of GDV (wife beating) in India. Our initial findings indicate that India suffers from substantial intergenerational persistence (low mobility) of GDV; e.g., we find about 41% of the ever married males whose fathers have ever beaten their mothers, to be involved in wife beating. Similarly, about 66% of the never married males whose fathers have ever beaten their mothers feel that it is alright to beat their wives. Strangely, about 66% and 50% of the unmarried females whose mothers were ever beaten and never beaten by their fathers, respectively feel that it is alright to be beaten by their husbands. There are considerable variations in these figures by location, wealth status, caste and religion.