omestic violence (DV) is a significant social problem in Bangladesh. Studies in the context of Bangladesh identify patriarchal norms and beliefs as the main factors behind DV. The current study analyzes some patriarchal justifications and perceptions of Bangladeshi men and women using the 2004 Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) as the data source. The data source consists of a nationally representative probability sample from 10,811 households. Both multinomial and binomial
regression analysis was computed. The results indicate that rural wives were more likely to respond that the husbands had final say even in their own health decisions compared to their urban
counterparts. Also, rural husbands were more likely to justify wife beating. Increased age, education, and active employment status of the wives were associated with their having greater say in their own health care. However, interestingly, some of the outcomes in the multinomial analysis revealed that men’s economic independence gives him more power of domination. From the binomial analysis, it is found that with increased education (both of wives and husbands) the odds
of husband justifying wife beating decreased.