The Crisis Of Intimate Partner Violence In India: The Reading Of Selected Works By Tamil Writers Bama And Meena Kandasamy

Abstract

The lack of effective communication, emotional distance, and sexual discontent cause problems among married couples. Recent studies show that greater distress is seen among married women when compared to that of men. Any toxic behaviour within an intimate partner relationship that results in physical torture, psychological distress, or sexual abuse is called IPV or Spousal Violence. This research attempts to study how the culture of silence is promoted and spousal violence is normalized to an extent that the victims are reluctant to openly share their horrific tales of intimate partner violence. In the novels When I Hit You and Sangati; the readers come across an evident, but invisible power struggle that results in toxic interdependence, which holds back the victims from walking out of an abusive relationship. Abusive marriage and loneliness put women at higher risk of depression, anxiety, hypertension, and stress disorders. It affects their mental, physical and emotional well-being. Distorted perceptions and fall of self-esteem are reported in married women who suffer from severe abuse and isolation.