Background Honor killings are a deeply ingrained practice within Palestinian patriarchal culture, where violations
of perceived family honor—particularly by women—can lead to extreme consequences. This study examines
the attitudes of Palestinian university students toward honor killings, with a focus on understanding how the younger,
more educated generation perceives this phenomenon. Given the role of socialization and moral development
in shaping beliefs, this research explores whether gender, geography, and religious background influence attitudes
toward honor-based violence.
Methods A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted among students at An-Najah National University,
the largest university in the West Bank. A structured questionnaire, developed by the researchers, was distributed
online to assess students’ attitudes toward honor killings, particularly concerning women’s marital status and involvement
in perceived moral transgressions. Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and logistic regression, were
employed to examine associations between demographic factors (gender, geographical location, and religious affiliation)
and students’ responses.
Results Findings revealed that while a significant portion of students justified the killing of individuals engaging
in extramarital sexual relationships, they largely opposed violence against women who had non-sexual interactions
with men. Gender differences were evident, with male students exhibiting stronger endorsement of honor-based
violence compared to females. Psychological constructs such as moral disengagement and cognitive dissonance
may play a role in justifying or rejecting honor killings, with religious and cultural influences further shaping these
attitudes.
Conclusions The study highlights the persistence of honor-based justifications for violence among segments
of the younger generation, emphasizing the need for psychological and educational interventions. Addressing
cognitive biases, reshaping social norms, and implementing policies that challenge gender-based violence are critical
for fostering attitudinal change. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on honor crimes and gender equality
in Palestinian society, offering insights for future research and policy development.

Title

BMC Psychology

Publisher

Springer Nature

Publisher Country

United Kingdom

Indexing

Scopus

Impact Factor

2.4

Publication Type

Online only

Volume

13

Year

2025

Pages

1-12