University male perspectives on gender-based violence: A qualitative analysis using MAXQDA

Rivas-Huaman R.; Cusi-Arriaga M.; Saravia-Parra L.; Quispe-Huamán H.; Macedo-Ferrel G.; Dominguez-Montalvo G.; Martinez-Duran V. · Multidisciplinary Science Journal (2026) · DOI: 10.31893/multiscience.2026690

Resumen

Violence against women constitutes a structural and multidimensional problem that transcends cultural, social, and economic contexts, persisting even within university settings where a higher level of critical awareness is expected. Within this framework, the present study aims to analyze male university students' perceptions of violence against women, with an emphasis on their beliefs, attitudes, personal experiences, and proposals for improvement oriented toward the prevention and eradication of this phenomenon. The research was conducted using a qualitative, basic approach, epistemologically grounded in Husserlian phenomenology and employing a phenomenological design. The sample consisted of five male students from the Faculty of Social Sciences at a public Peruvian university, selected based on accessibility and voluntary participation criteria. Data were collected through structured interviews administered in written form. Data analysis followed a deductive logic for the a priori categories and an inductive logic for code generation, and was supported by the MAXQDA software, which enabled the construction of word clouds and code maps for the organization and interpretation of emerging categories. The results reveal a marked normalization of violence against women in the participants' discourse, along with a critical perception of the inefficiency and partiality of the state's response. Likewise, structural and sociocultural factors that perpetuate violence were identified, such as economic dependence, the reproduction of gender roles, and the lack of emotional education. The recognized consequences include profound damage to identity, mental health, and the overall well-being of victims. Finally, participants proposed key strategies such as education in gender equality, institutional strengthening, and cultural transformation from early stages. It is concluded that the university represents a strategic space for awareness-raising, education, and male co-responsibility in the prevention of violence against women, making it essential to articulate educational, institutional, and social efforts to address this problem in a comprehensive and sustainable manner. © Copyright (c) 2025 The Authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Nacional Micaela Bastidas de Apurímac; Universidad Continental; Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán; Universidad Nacional Intercultural de Quillabamba