The differences in cultural values are closely connected to the perception of structural violence. It can be easily explained by the fact that culture determines the concepts of power, authority, justice, suffering, oppression, and other ideas related to the understanding of violence. One of the most significant determinants of cultural values is religion. For example, Haitians, who are primarily Roman Catholics and Protestants, promote patriarchy (i.e., inferiority of women compared to men) (Hall 221, 265).
The same can be said about the UAE. However, there is one significant difference between these countries: In the case of the UAE, the Islamic religion is an indispensable element of everyday life (Walker and Butler 61).
Both Haiti and the UAE are susceptible to the risk of structural violence. However, in the case of Haiti, structural suffering is a cultural phenomenon connected to the historical background of the country and the changes in the gender system because of economic and social transformations (Duramy 103). On the other hand, when speaking of the UAE, this problem is related to particular social groups, such as maids or street workers.
In most cases, they are immigrants. Violence against them is based on exploitation and social inequality when it comes to paying for their work (Human Rights Watch par. 5; Kymlicka and Pföstl 177).
The correlation between cultural differences and structural violence is a subject commonly investigated by anthropologists. For instance, Paul Farmer believes that these two concepts are closely connected. His primary argument comes down to abusing culture as a concept. It means that structural violence is in the nature of some cultures (e.g., gender or caste inequality), so it can remain unquestioned. Because of this, the suffering of the poor or women can be ignored by wealthier and more influential individuals, and their suffering is promoted as a cultural phenomenon (Farmer 280). This paper sheds light on this problem as it proves that it is culture-related, according to the above-mentioned examples of Haiti and the UAE.
Works Cited
Duramy, Benedetta. Violence in Haiti: Path from Victims to Agents, New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press, 2014. Print.
Farmer, Paul. “On Suffering and Structural Violence: The View from Below.” Daedalus 125.1 (1996): 261-283. Print.
Hall, Michael R. Historical Difference of Haiti, New York: The Scarecrow Press, 2012. Print.
Human Rights Watch. Abuse and Exploitation of Female Migrant Domestic Workers in the United Arab Emirates. 2014. Web.
Kymlicka, Will, and Eva Pföstl. Multiculturalism and Minority Rights in the Arab World, New York: Oxford University Press, 2014. Print.
Walker, Jenny, and Stuart Butler. Oman, UAE, & Arabian Peninsula, Melbourne: Lonely Planet, 2010. Print.