Female and Male Homicide Victimization Trends: A Cross-National Context (From Gender and Crime: Patterns in Victimization and Offending, P 195-229, 2006, Karen Heimer and Candace Kruttschnitt, eds., -- See NCJ-214516)

• NCJ Number: 214524
• Author(s): Gary LaFree; Gwen Hunnicutt
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 35 pages
• Sale Source: New York University Press
• Publication Format: Book Chapter
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study compared the cross-national and longitudinal similarities and differences between male and female homicide victimization rates from the perspective of a gender equity framework.

Abstract

Results indicated six main conclusions. First, while national homicide victimization rates were generally higher for men, there were frequent exceptions mainly occurring in West European democracies or in countries with strong links to Western democracies. This pattern suggests the gap in homicide victimization for women and men is smaller in countries with less gender stratification. Second, there was little evidence that homicide victimization rates for men and women had converged during the second half of the 20th century, which was striking given the scope of change experienced by men and women during this time period. Third, the convergence and divergence in male and female national homicide victimization rates that were observed were due to changes in the male homicide rates rather than in the female homicide rates. Fourth, national homicide victimization rates for males and females were highly correlated, indicating similarities in homicide trends for men and women living in the same country. Fifth, little evidence was observed for a “backlash” explanation of national female and male homicide rates, raising the possibility that increased friction between men and women due to gender role changes had not led to a significant increase in female homicides. Sixth, there were significant and enduring differences between male and female homicide rates and trends between countries. Research methods involved collecting time series data on homicide victimization rates per 100,000 females and males in 35 countries from 1950 to 2001 from the World Health Organization (WHO). Data from North American and West European countries dominated the analysis, comprising 18 countries in the sample. Due to the differences in male and female homicide victimization rates observed between countries, future research should address the social, historical, demographic, economic, and political variables that might explain this variation. Tables, figures, notes