"A Man Has to Show That He Is a Man From a Young Age": Intimate Partner Violence for Young Male University Students in Brazil.

Abstract

Considering that men today face social and cultural pressures to behave in certain ways, the objective of this study was to analyze the construction of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) from the perspective of university students who identify themselves as male in a developing country. This is a qualitative study carried out through semi-structured interviews, with 15 students from the state of São Paulo, Brazil, from May to July 2021. The data were analyzed thematically and anchored in the ecological framework of understanding violence. Two final themes were identified: "'A man has to show that he is a man from a young age'-Social construction of violence" and "'At first it is hard to notice'-The subtlety of violence." It was identified that this phenomenon is configured as a historical, social, and cultural construction, mainly sustained by what is attributed to "being a man" in society and, consequently, the actions expected by this attribution. These perceptions are transversal in relationships within society and go beyond generations-and they are a layer in addition to memories of violence experienced or witnessed taking place in determining IPV experiences. Living in communities that legitimize gender inequities, generally in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, is a prominent factor influencing IPV among the studied population. In this context, psychological violence emerges as preponderant and triggers other forms of violence, which are difficult to notice and veiled behind prejudices. Educational practices for healthy relationships are proposed and emphasized from basic to higher education as well as peer and professional support.