Challenging the representation of intimate partner violence in Mexico: unidirectional, mutual violence and the role of male control

Abstract

Dyadic concordance types of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Mexico are examined separately for married/cohabiting women and separated/divorced women using the 2011 National Survey on Household Dynamics. In the context of couples’ anger or conflict, IPV is primarily male perpetrated; at least half of women involved in a violent relationship report male-only violence. The rates of mutual violence are 26.7% for married/cohabiting couples and 29.3% for separated/divorced couples; those of female-only violence are 23.5% among married/cohabiting couples and 8% for separated/divorced couples, most of it consisting of situational IPV. Control is associated with IPV but does not differentiate between male-only and mutually violent couples; however, it does differentiate between nonviolent and female-only couples. Women’s use of violence in relationships tends to be linked with ethnic/racial and age structures and with previous experiences of violence during their childhood and adolescence. The implications for awareness and prevention programs, public policy, and future research are discussed. Existing claims regarding the mutual nature of IPV need to be contextualized because the prevalence of dyadic concordance types of IPV might be contingent on countries’ different levels of gender inequality and different cultural scripts regarding relationships.