University of Central Florida STARS Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 2008 Experiences, Attitudes And Beliefs About Interpersonal Violence: A Study On Costa Rican Adolescents Monica Mendez University of Central Florida Part of the Sociology Commons Find similar works at: https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd University of Central Florida Libraries http://library.ucf.edu This Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access) is brought to you for free and open access by STARS. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019 by an authorized administrator of STARS. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STARS Citation Mendez, Monica, "Experiences, Attitudes And Beliefs About Interpersonal Violence: A Study On Costa Rican Adolescents" (2008). Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2004-2019. 3788. https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/3788 EXPERIENCES, ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS ABOUT INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE: A STUDY ON COSTA RICAN ADOLESCENTS by MÓNICA MÉNDEZ M.S. University of Central Florida, 2002 B.A. University of Florida, 2001 A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Sociology in the College of Sciences at the University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Spring Term 2008 Major Professor: Jana Jasinski © 2008 Mónica Méndez ii ABSTRACT Research in Latin America regarding interpersonal violence and adolescents is rare if not nonexistent. In a collaborative effort with the Costa Rican Ministry of Education and the National Institute of Women (INAMU), qualitative data were collected from three high schools and one after-school program from rural and urban locations of the Central Valley. The discussion groups/open-ended questionnaires were done with a total of 154 students ranging from ages 14 to 17 and grade levels 8th to 12th. Information was obtained concerning students’ perceptions, definitions and opinions on issues relating to interpersonal violence and gender roles and rules. The results show that the students made distinctions between acceptable and unacceptable uses of violence, supporting the idea behind a dichotomy of deviant and non-deviant interpersonal violence behaviors. In addition, students also recognized the overarching and detrimental existence of the machismo culture in society, which, in their eyes, perpetuates interpersonal violence. They were also generally unaware of any help that existed for abused adults, adolescents or children. Results show that the machismo culture that affects the socialization of adolescents is well recognized among adolescents and perceived as a detriment to people through gender role expectations and the use and perpetuation of interpersonal violence. iii This dissertation is dedicated to my family and friends, all of whom have supported my efforts and endeavors throughout my studies. I would not have been able to complete my dissertation, let alone my doctoral degree, without their endless understanding and encouragement. I especially want to thank and dedicate this dissertation to a few special beings without whom it would not have been possible to complete this project. First, I want to thank and acknowledge my husband, who has stood by me in the busiest and craziest of times and understood the importance this degree holds for me. He has endured many nights of seeing me wedged in front of my computer, buried in papers, and unwilling to go to bed. He has woken up alone while I am finishing an overnight stint of writing and heading to bed as he heads to work. I want to thank my two dogs and apologize to them for all of the time I spent studying and writing instead of playing with them or walking them more. I especially want to thank my baby dog who unflinchingly stayed with me, no matter where I was, watching me write or read, and sighing constantly, reminding me that he was there and would love some attention. To my parents, I would extend my greatest gratitude as well for…well, for everything. As I finish this phase of life, I can look back and see how they were there for me unfailingly, offering me guidance, support, advice, encouragement and stability where I sometimes thought there was none. Their continual presence has always been a constant reminder of all that I already have and cherish. I would also like to thank my sister, two brothers and my brother-in-law, as they have been there for me all along. Our conversations have always been a welcome diversion from the sometimes very difficult times that come with a doctoral degree. They have always been willing to listen to me during times of frustration as well as happiness. I know that I can always count on them as I have during these last three years. For this support, I especially thank them because I know that not all families function as we do. También le quiero dar gracias y dedicar este projecto a mi familia en Costa Rica por todo el cariño, apoyo y aliento que me han dado durante mis estudios. Sin ellos y ellas, hubiera sido imposible llegar a donde estoy hoy. Ellas y Ellos me han motivado y ayudado a seguir peleando por mis sueños en un mundo que a veces nos atropella por ser quienes somos y como somos. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. Jana Jasinski, for all of her guidance, time and commitment throughout my graduate program not only as the graduate advisor by as my mentor. She stood by me during times of uncertainty, especially during the first phases of my project and particularly during the grueling process of obtaining university approval to conduct my research in Costa Rica. For all of her work on my behalf, I gratefully thank her. I would also like to thank my committee, Dr. Elizabeth Mustaine, Dr. James Wright, Dr. Eileen Abel, and, a previous member of my committee, Dr. Tracy Dietz. They supported me and offered sound advice during the dissertation and job-seeking phase of my doctoral career. In addition, I would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Liz Grauerholz, who had confidence in my abilities to manage her journal and, thus, provided me with a venue through which I could fund my graduate studies. I would also like to thank her for her continual support as a faculty member. My thanks is extended to all of the faculty who have been there for me and other doctoral students as we have sought to find our place in the applied and academic world. Without their guidance in this new program, it would have been more difficult to find our way. Thank you to Tami Pullin, Tonya Walker and the rest of the department staff who have always lent a hand no matter what. Their support as departmental staff and as friends has been invaluable. Me gustaría reconocer y extender mi gratitud al Ministerio de Educación de Costa Rica, especialmente al Ministro, Dr. Leonardo Garnier, y a al Instituto Nacional de Mujeres (INAMU) de Costa Rica por su asistencia y apoyo a este proyecto. Finally, I would like to thank my peers, who have all been a constant source of reassurance, validation and comfort during my time in the doctoral program. Without their camaraderie, it would definitely have been very difficult to complete this phase of my life. I would especially like to thank my closest friends who were invaluable to me and with whom I spent much time in labs and lunch figuring out the workings of life as a doctoral student. v TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................viii LIST OF TABLES................................................................................................. ix INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................1 CHAPTER 1 ADOLESCENCE, EDUCATION AND VIOLENCE ...........................5 Relationships among Socialization, Violence and Education ............................7 CHAPTER 2 INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE: A SOCIAL ISSUE IN LATIN AMERICA ...........................................................................................................12 History of the Region.......................................................................................14 Micro-Mechanisms: Machismo and Marianismo..............................................16 Machismo Defined .......................................................................................16 Marianismo Defined.....................................................................................19 Latin American Cultural Norms........................................................................21 What is Culture and Why Does It Matter?....................................................22 Culture Defined ........................................................................................22 Cultural Social Structural Factors ................................................................25 CHAPTER 3 LATIN AMERICAN INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE LITERATURE29 Research on Interpersonal Violence against Women in Latin America...........29 The Status of Women and Violence in Costa Rica..........................................33 CHAPTER 4 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: AN ECOLOGICAL APPROACH.36 Multicultural Feminism: Why Here and Now....................................................42 Feminism in Costa Rica...............................................................................44 Multicultural Feminism .................................................................................47 What is Multicultural Feminism?...............................................................47