ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to identify socio-cultural factors influencing domestic violence in Ovia North East Local Government area of Edo state. The research was carried out as a survey research using relevant literature from journals, magazines, books and the internet. Four research questions were raised and analyzed for the purpose of the study. A random sampling technique was used in selection of two hundred (200) married couples in Ovia North East Local Government area of Edo state. The data were collected with questionnaire instrument and analyzed using simple percentage. The result revealed that; domineering attitude of men, and sex role socialization promotes domestic violence are major socio-cultural factors promoting domestic violence in Ovia North East Local Government area of Edo state, the various forms of domestic violence among married couples are; fighting, Husband/wife hitting each other, use of intimidation, and Husband committing marital rape, domestic violence leads to family separation, child abuse, Damage to family image, poor upbringing of the children, Domestic violence results to death sometimes either of the couples, to curb the menace of domestic violence, couples must accommodate individual differences, avoid demining behaviours, encourage problem-sharing culture, and Government and police should be able to see domestic violence as a capital crime. Based on the results, it was recommended that routine screening of women for domestic violence in clinical facilities that attend to women and children’s health may help in early identification of victims and perpetrators and assessment of the magnitude of the problem in this environment, schools, churches, mosques as agents of socialization should organize seminars for public enlightenment on the need for peaceful and violence free society which begins from home, women should have alternatives for income generation or minimally viable livelihoods can make the difference between remaining in subservient relationship and destitution, and implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action by governments, especially the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women in policies, statutes, bills and laws. Improve women options and negotiating power within and outside the homes.
