“The Mole on His Penis Lassos Her:” Cultural Understandings of Coercive Control and Emotional Abuse of Women in Cambodia

Throughout world history, moles and birthmarks have occupied a special place as omens. Little is known of the cultural beliefs concerning the determinants of coercive control. In this ethnographic study of coercive control in Cambodia, the focus is on popular beliefs that moles are omens portending...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Eisenbruch, Maurice (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2024
In: Violence against women
Year: 2024, Volume: 30, Issue: 12/13, Pages: 3320-3349
Online Access: Presumably Free Access
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Keywords:
Omens
Impunity
gender-based violence
Coercive Control
birthmarks
Description
Summary:Throughout world history, moles and birthmarks have occupied a special place as omens. Little is known of the cultural beliefs concerning the determinants of coercive control. In this ethnographic study of coercive control in Cambodia, the focus is on popular beliefs that moles are omens portending that men shall control women. Lachrymal moles (under the eye) signify women weeping as a result of misery. Penile moles portend men attracting, controlling, even abusing women. They have implications for reinterpreting an “insider” view of hegemonic masculinity and for culturally responsive interventions against gender-based violence.
ISSN:1552-8448
DOI:10.1177/10778012231174349