Adaptation puzzle of war widows: the social risk of becoming a (fe)/male

Abstract

The study examines the social impact of a by-product of the civil conflict existed in Sri Lanka for over 30 years. The problem of war widowers/widows is a common phenomenon in countries with armed-conflicts. The conflict not only condensed the national development of Sri Lanka, but created social costs including displacement of people, child abuse and war widows. War widows, the spouses of fallen members of security forces (Army, Navy, Air force, Police) at war front, are exposed to different socio-psychological issues of which adaptation is a critical; The male?s (female?s) role in the family and the society is performed by the female (male) during the widowhood, the adaptation puzzle. The study uses a purposive sample of two hundred fifty wives of fallen security personnel in thirty divisional secretaries in Sri Lanka. The study finds that the transitioning role leads violence. It spreads over family and society. After widowhood, women have confronted problems in their adaptation process. The research reveals that not-managed adaptation causes social risks in day today life of widows and the society. Effective adaptation is associated with better finance management, education and religion. Accordingly, the study draws attention of policy makers in managing risk of social systems, eliminating the possible violence and social conflicts in the society by managing adaptation.