JNUR_V3_N4_A3 Adham Alarbeed Diala Alhakim Journal on Nursing 2231–4504 3 4 10 14 Domestic Violence, Pakistani Family, Gender Roles, Social Norms Domestic violence is a persistent public health issue worldwide; it is especially prevalent in Pakistan. Although women's roles are changing in the contemporary era, patriarchal ideologies dominate the social and family structures. Patriarchal notions continue to perpetuate traditional gender roles. The purpose of this study was to explore how the influence of the patriarchal attitudes has played a prominent role in perpetuating domestic violence in the Pakistani family. This study focused closely on two particular social determinants that contribute to domestic violence. These two determinants were rigid gender roles and the social norms that are conducive to or permissive of violence in the home. In addition, this study shortly discussed the rest of the determinants of domestic violence in the Pakistani context according to the WHO domestic violence determinant list. November 2013 - January 2014 Copyright © 2014 i-manager publications. All rights reserved. i-manager Publications http://www.imanagerpublications.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=2570