Breaking the Cycle: How Cultural Beliefs Enable Harm Against Women
- Nada Johnson
- Jun 14
- 3 min read
Violence against women isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes, it’s hidden in everyday beliefs that teach women to stay quiet, be obedient, or accept mistreatment.
These cultural ideas can make unhealthy and harmful relationships seem “normal,” and that makes it harder for women to recognize abuse or ask for help.
As a Therapist, I’ve seen how culture, family expectations, and outside systems can make it even more difficult for women to speak up or leave unsafe situations.
🌿 At Nada Johnson Consulting and Counselling Services I provide warm, compassionate, and culturally sensitive counselling that helps women feel seen, heard, and empowered.
✧ I want to take a moment to talk about some of the common cultural messages and expectations that can quietly harm women and make it harder for them to get help ✧
The Weight of "Tradition"
In many communities, “tradition” is used to explain why men are seen as leaders and women are expected to follow. For example, a woman might be told she should stay home and take care of the family while her husband makes all the decisions. These messages can leave women feeling powerless and trapped.
For immigrant women especially, this pressure can be even stronger. Many worry that if they speak up, they’ll be judged by their family or community or misunderstood by the police or service providers (Stepping Stones Support Services, 2022).
Some studies show that when society teaches strict gender roles like men should be dominant and women should be submissive it can make people believe that abuse is okay in some situations (Lomazzi, 2023).
Being Blamed Instead of Believed
Sadly, many women are blamed when they experience abuse. People might say things like “She provoked him” or “She should’ve just stayed quiet.” These kinds of comments don’t help. They make survivors feel ashamed or scared to tell their stories. And they allow the person hurting them to avoid responsibility.
In many cultures, women are expected to keep the peace at all costs, even if they’re being hurt. So when a woman decides to speak up or leave, she might feel guilty like she’s doing something wrong (EWEI Nigeria, 2020).
Silence and Shame
Women are sometimes taught to keep family matters private even when those matters include abuse. Some are told that speaking up will bring shame to their family. This silence creates a heavy burden and makes it harder for women to get the support they need.
Women who are new to Canada, who don’t speak English well, or who fear deportation may feel even more isolated. Many don’t know that help is available—or are afraid that reaching out will make things worse (Stepping Stones Support Services, 2022).
Only about 4 in 10 women who experience abuse ever reach out for help and cultural stigma is a big reason why (EWEI Nigeria, 2020).
Feeling Trapped Without Money
When women aren’t given the chance to work, study, or handle their own money, they may become financially dependent on their partner. This can make it feel impossible to leave even if the relationship is dangerous.
Immigrant women may also face more barriers: they may not have Canadian work experience, may face racism or language barriers, or may be unsure about their legal rights. All of this adds extra stress and risk.
If you’re reading this and something resonates with you, please know that you’re not alone.
🌱 At Nada Johnson Consulting and Counselling Services, I’m here to support you.
🫶Whether you’re seeking healing, safety, or simply someone to talk to, I’ll walk beside you with care and compassion. You deserve to feel safe, valued, and free.🫶
🌍Website: www.nadajohnsonservices.com
📩 Contact: info@nadajohnsonservices.com
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Sources
EWEI Nigeria. (2020, June 25). Cultural norms and practices and their impact on gender-based violence in communities. Medium. https://medium.com/@eweinigeria/cultural-norms-and-practices-and-their-impact-on-gender-based-violence-in-communities-883f40315304
Stepping Stones Support Services. (2022). Cultural barriers for domestic violence survivors. https://steppingstonessociety.ca/cultural-barriers-for-domestic-violence-survivors/; Stepping Stones Support Services
Lomazzi, V. (2023). The Cultural Roots of Violence against Women. Social Sciences, 12(3), 117. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12030117 *https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12030117
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