Marital Violence in Papua New Guinea: A Theological Critique and Response

Abstract

Marital violence has been described as endemic in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and it is striking that the problem of marital violence is so severe in a country where Christian adherence has stabilised at around ninety-six percent of the population. This contextual theology for Melanesia examines marital violence in Papua New Guinea with attention to the Melanesian concept of Nem, a concept which is entwined with status and power. It argues that social competition over Nem contributes to domination over others, especially women in marital relationships. It discusses the prevalence, nature and character of marital violence in PNG and explores how concerns for Nem shape male-male power challenges which contribute to violence against women. It suggests that the concern for Nem also underlies the observable socio-cultural power structures like patriarchy and socio-cultural values and practices like conventional gender roles and bride-price which trigger marital violence in PNG. This study of marital violence therefore presents the need to develop a Melanesian contextual theology approach based on the Melanesian perception of ‘community’ for addressing marital violence issues and how such a biblical and contextual theology might address other social and ethical issues in PNG and in the wider Melanesian societies. It examines the similarity between Nem and similar ideas in other community–focussed societies and offers possible new ways of reading the Bible passages about marital violence in the scriptures. Against this background, and by developing a contextually appropriate theology, the thesis presents the biblical and theological concepts of ‘service’ and ‘servanthood’ as foundational principles for an alternative male-female power relationship. It argues that the church community should contextually and theologically critique the concept of Nem and marital violence through a servant concept of power relations in human relationships, especially in marital relationships.