Why do men attack the ones they love? The driver of aggression is often the feeling that women owe them something and they can take it (interview)

In Slovakia, the deeply concerning issue of male violence against women is often discussed through the lens of uncontrolled anger or the lingering effects of traumatic childhoods. However, new research by psychologist Lenka Uherová, conducted at the University of Essex in the UK, offers a more nuanced and perhaps more troubling explanation. Her work, focusing on criminal psychology and the roots of violence against women, suggests that the primary engine of aggression in relationships is not simply a lack of emotional regulation, but a potent combination of anxious attachment styles and a profound sense of entitlement.

“

The biggest risk factor is not just experienced trauma, but a specific type of anxious attachment in combination with a deeply ingrained sense of entitlement.

Uherová's findings directly challenge widely held societal myths. While many might assume that a history of trauma is the most significant risk factor for perpetrating violence, her data points to a specific psychological profile: an anxious attachment, often formed in early childhood, coupled with a deeply ingrained belief that women 'owe' them something and that they have a right to take it. This perspective shifts the focus from reactive anger to a more calculated, albeit psychologically distorted, sense of ownership and control.

“

Originally, I was convinced that traumatization forms a huge part of violence and that if we manage to reduce it, we have won. After my studies, I am more skeptical.

From a Slovak perspective, this research is particularly relevant. Our society, like many others, has historically operated under patriarchal structures that can inadvertently cultivate a sense of entitlement in men. The idea that a partner is somehow obligated to fulfill a man's needs or desires, stemming from societal expectations rather than genuine connection, can be a dangerous undercurrent. Uherová's work compels us to examine these deeply embedded cultural norms and how they might contribute to the alarming statistics of violence. It suggests that interventions must go beyond anger management and address the underlying psychological frameworks and societal conditioning that enable such destructive behaviors. The implication is that true change requires not only individual psychological shifts but also a broader societal reckoning with gender roles and expectations.

“

Why is it that the myth persists that the perpetrator 'loses control' when he can control himself towards his boss or friends, but not at home?