7.3.1 How the Fa’asamoa is (mis)used to strengthen patriarchy and perpetuate family violence? The Fa’asamoa contributes to the patriarchal framework that underpins family violence in Samoa, often placing women in inferior positions and creating the environment for family violence to flourish. “Samoa is a male-orientated culture, and women still hold a sub-dominant place in society. In a traditional cultural event [...] it is not uncommon for a woman of esteemed caliber or high social standing to be served from the back, unrecognized. As children are […] so are women in our Samoan culture – they are to be seen but not heard.” Mercy Ah Siu-Maliko, ‘A Public Theology Response to Domestic Violence in Samoa’, Inquiry document 39 The perceived gender roles and language reinforce this hierarchy and give further substance to notions of masculinity. “Words like ‘pule’ (boss) reinforces behaviours and attitudes. The use of the word pule puts women as second class citizens. Even women use this word quite often and bow down to the view of the pule. In her world she is paying respect to that man but that can also reinforce these behaviours that fuel violence.” Rev. Fa’auuga Pula, Inquiry public hearings The role of the Fa’asamoa in strengthening patriarchy has contributed to the situation outlined previously in the Report whereby violence is seen as a necessity in maintaining those power relations. Despite the Fa’asamoa not explicitly endorsing the use of violence at any point, it is now used as a justification by many for beating wives26 and children. It is easy to understand how this social shift has occurred – first the Fa’asamoa is interpreted to condone a gender hierarchy and then it becomes necessary to introduce violence to protect that hierarchy. Once violence has been introduced then the severity of the violence becomes worse over time and it becomes the new norm. “Unless the woman in a family has been subject to heavy abuse such as being […] thrashed with a bush knife blade, that I believe is violence.” Matai participant, Inquiry document 82 When society has reached a point at which some matais only consider the threshold for violence to have been reached when a woman is physically assaulted with a bush knife, then it is time to consider whether the Fa’asamoa is being used in its true spirit or whether it is being misused to maintain existing power structures. 26 See Philip Alston. (1985). “The Shortcomings of a ‘Garfield the Cat’ Approach to the Right to Development.” California Western International Law Journal, 15(3).