The role of social workers in the prevention of domestic violence from an anthropological perspective: an analysis of sociocultural practices and family dynamics in the ecuadorian context

Abstract

Domestic violence remains one of the most significant social problems in Ecuador, manifesting as a complex phenomenon that not only impacts family cohesion but also reveals deep-seated power structures, gender inequalities, and entrenched cultural patterns that perpetuate abusive and dominating behaviors. Social work, as a professional discipline committed to well-being and social justice, plays an essential role in the care, prevention, and intervention in these contexts. The aim of this study was to identify the importance of social worker intervention in domestic violence from an anthropological perspective: an analysis of sociocultural practices and family dynamics in the Ecuadorian context. A documentary design methodology was applied, and the study is explanatory and bibliographic. From an anthropological perspective, domestic violence in Ecuadorian families cannot be understood solely as an individual or legal phenomenon, but rather as a socially learned and culturally reproduced practice. Various studies demonstrate that certain sociocultural practices rooted in daily life contribute to the normalization and perpetuation of violence within the family. In conclusion, one of the most influential practices is machismo, understood as a cultural system that assigns rigid and hierarchical gender roles.