Dating Violence Heterogeneity in University Couples. The Cases of Spain and South Korea

Abstract

Research shows that dating violence is characterized by bigger ratios than those found among married couples of mutual and less severe forms of violence. The aim of this study is to increase knowledge about the violence experienced by female students at the Complutense University of Madrid and Yonsei University of Seoul. A quantitative study with 435 interviews (308 with Spanish students and 127 with South Koreans) was carried out during the 2015-2016 academic year. Findings dating violence has decreased in both universities. Currently, women are experiencing new forms of control through communication technologies and it is still necessary to increase awareness about equality of roles and rights between women and men. Important differences found between data from Madrid and Seoul, in terms of the role played by women and the severity of violence, raise questions about different kinds of dating violence and missing variables which may explain its etiology.