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Genderization and Links with Illegal Armed Groups in Colombia

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Psychosocial Approaches to Peace-Building in Colombia

Part of the book series: Peace Psychology Book Series ((PPBS,volume 25))

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Abstract

This chapter presents qualitative research results on the relationship between gender socialization (genderization) and the joining of illegal armed groups in Colombia, through narratives of 21 male and 13 female ex-combatant guerrillas and paramilitaries, obtained through focus groups, in-depth interviews, and field diaries. The analytical perspective includes: constructionist social psychology, the theory of gender performativity and perspectives from technologies of the self. The results show how certain gender patterns normalized during infancy socialization have a bearing on the future possibility of joining armed groups. They also show how participation in these groups strengthens belligerent subjectivities. The conclusions suggest psychosocial keys for disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration processes, from an ethical–political perspective which combines gender and cultures of peace.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This trend cannot be generalized to all populations living alongside armed actors and war dynamics. The Lazos sociales y culturas de paz research group identify community experiences of resistance and nonviolent coexistence, with the aim of acknowledging them as creative strategies for the denormalization of war and the demilitarization of society.

  2. 2.

    Resolution 1325 calls for planning for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) to consider the different needs of female and male ex-combatants and to take into account the needs of their dependants (United Nations Security Council 2000).

  3. 3.

    Colombian State Institution devoted to promoting and protecting the human rights of children and adolescents and their families. The aforementioned program accompanies, psychosocially, pedagogically, and economically, the process of reintegration into civilian life of children and adolescents disassociated from illegal armed groups.

  4. 4.

    For the last 15 years, the Group has been encouraging the emotional, corporeal, and relational transformation of behaviors and patriarchal attitudes among men involved in gender-based violence.

  5. 5.

    In parallel with this phase, in the Lazos sociales y culturas de paz research group discussions are going on regarding the possibilities and limits of psychological backing for demobilized individuals in the process of reintegrating into society.

  6. 6.

    I understand morality as prescriptive relational guidelines for action, which are generated, maintained, and operate by means of social mechanisms institutionalized by the armed group. This conception is based on Gergen (1996) and Shotter (2001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Pontifical Javeriana University, Bogotá, Colombia

    Darío Reynaldo Muñoz Onofre

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  1. Darío Reynaldo Muñoz Onofre
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Correspondence to Darío Reynaldo Muñoz Onofre .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology, Pontifical Javeriana University, Bogota, Colombia

    Stella Sacipa-Rodriguez

  2. Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela

    Maritza Montero

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Muñoz Onofre, D. (2014). Genderization and Links with Illegal Armed Groups in Colombia. In: Sacipa-Rodriguez, S., Montero, M. (eds) Psychosocial Approaches to Peace-Building in Colombia. Peace Psychology Book Series, vol 25. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-04549-8_9

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