How Legacies of Genocide Are Transmitted in the Family Environment: A Qualitative Study of Two Generations in Rwanda

Lidewyde H. Berckmoes, Veroni Eichelsheim, Theoneste Rutayisire, Annemiek Richters and Barbora Hola
Additional contact information
Lidewyde H. Berckmoes: Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
Veroni Eichelsheim: Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
Theoneste Rutayisire: Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR), Amsterdam, 1018 WV, The Netherlands
Annemiek Richters: Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research (AISSR), Amsterdam, 1018 WV, The Netherlands
Barbora Hola: Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement (NSCR), Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands

Societies, 2017, vol. 7, issue 3, 1-18

Abstract: The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and its aftermath led to large-scale individual traumatization, disruption of family structures, shifts in gender roles, and tensions in communities, which are all ongoing. Previous research around the world has demonstrated the transgenerational effects of mass violence on individuals, families and communities. In Rwanda, in light of recurrent episodes of violence in the past, attention to the potential ‘cycle of violence’ is warranted. The assumption that violence is passed from generation to generation was first formulated in research on domestic violence and child abuse, but is receiving increasing attention in conflict-affected societies. However, the mechanisms behind intergenerational transmission are still poorly understood. Based on qualitative research with 41 mothers and their adolescent children, we investigated how legacies of the 1994 genocide and its aftermath are transmitted to the next generation through processes in the family environment in Rwanda. Our findings reveal direct and indirect pathways of transmission. We also argue that intergenerational effects might best be described as heterotypic: genocide and its aftermath lead to multiple challenges in the children’s lives, but do not necessarily translate into new physical violence. Further research is needed on how children actively engage with conflict legacies of the past.

Keywords: intergenerational transmission; cycle of violence; genocide; trauma; families; Rwanda (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/7/3/24/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4698/7/3/24/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:7:y:2017:i:3:p:24-:d:111998

Access Statistics for this article

Societies is currently edited by Ms. Farrah Sun

More articles in Societies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().