How Intergenerational Violence Impacts Our Samoan Aiga

Written by:  Jennifer F Tofaeono, ASADSV Executive Director
On April 2, 2023, a Samoan village representative shared how violence is a Samoan tradition, having severe impact on children (Samoa Observer, 2023).  Constantly our newspapers are littered with stories, of husbands beating their wives, parents use beating to teach their children, and lastly, seeing our youth fighting in schools with anger and hatred over school pride.
We must ask ourselves why an influx of people who believe in “alofa” (love), are struggling with violence.  For many Samoans many of us are taught not to talk about the violent behavior.  I have sat with my Samoan family who described violence as “a norm here.”  2018 National Public Inquiry into Family Violence, it unveiled an “epidemic” of violence and sexual abuse.  Nine out of ten respondents reported that abuse was commonplace in their homes.  When a community considers things “common”, it means it is everywhere. Violence on our island is ordinary, unremarkable, because we see it everywhere in our community. To unpack the underlying cause for domestic violence, abusers may have witnessed family violence as a child, power and control issues, and gender inequality. 

In Samoan families we are taught physical and harsh verbal discipline, usually bordering on violence, are an integral part of raising and developing Samoan children.  Evidence shows when there is a cycle of violence, it increases the likelihood the victim will become a perpetrator in adulthood. 
“I was beaten by my very violent father.  I smack my kids as well because of what my dad did to me. One day I went too far and hit my kid with a machete, cutting them.” Anonymous
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 Intergenerational violence is prominent in Samoan.  As a community we share stories of parents who beat us to change or correct behavior, and they do the same, thinking it is the norm.  This pattern continues to promote the cycle of violence creating intergenerational violence which is the transference of traumatic experiences or stressors from one generation to another.  An example is a mother who struggles with her daughter’s sexual abuse, may have been abused by her father, who may have been sexually abused by his father.  The impact of generational trauma is somber on a community.  Societies who suffer from intergenerational trauma never fully recover and find it difficult to support family members who may be suffering from their own trauma.  It is important for people to identify intergenerational trauma, and how it has impacted their approach or belief about violence. 
If you find that you are a victim of intergenerational trauma, do not dismiss it as “in the past”.  Take a more balanced approach, acknowledge the negative effect of trauma on health but find strength in resilience. The mind can withstand trauma, and it can recover quickly –that is resilience.  Research has shown resilience can be taught, learned, and cultivated.  Follow the Alliance as we unpack how resilience is used and developed in our work.
Reference(s)
National Public Inquiry Into Family Violence in Samoa (2018) retrieved from: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.ombudsman.gov.ws/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/SHRR-2018-National-Public-Inquiry-into-Family-Violence_-English.pdf
Samoa Observer (2023)  Violence should not be a Samoan tradition. Retrieved on 5/27/2023 https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/editorial/102845