Globalization, Gender and Development: Toward a Theoretical Understanding of Gender Violence and Backlash

• In Event: 522 - Section on Sociology of Development Paper Session. Emerging Issues in the Sociology of Development

Abstract

Observers, policy analysts and NGO’s around the world point to the importance of increasing the autonomy and status of women as the key to creating more just and viable societies. Yet this emphasis has come with increases in public, gender-based backlash violence (public rapes, honor killings, and the rise of violent groups bent on restoring patriarchy). We combine observations about growing class inequality among men with theories of male overcompensation and transaction-cost analyses of asset specificity and sunken costs to explain this violence. We suggest that the missing link in development activities is a recognition that gender is experienced in interaction in a context where globalization and economic uncertainty have increased inequality among men and created growing legions of low-status men. This decreases substantially the chances that development and justice goals focusing only on women’s autonomy will work as they’re intended. One solution we suggest focuses on changing economic prospects for men at the same time as governments and NGO’s pursue greater autonomy and opportunity for women.

Authors

• Kevin T. Leicht, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Phyllis L. Baker, University of Illinois