NCJ Number
156231
Journal
Deviant Behavior Volume: 16 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-March 1995) Pages: 45-57
Date Published
1995
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Victim-offender relationships are explored.
Abstract
This paper presents the result of an analysis of homicide in which principles of exchange theory are utilized to suggest conditions under which women involved in different types of intimate relationships may be likely to commit homicide against their male partners. A total of 1,154 cases in which the homicide offender was female are analyzed to suggest a link between relationship type and homicide. Data for the research were provided by the Uniform Crime Reports for the state of Texas for the years 1980-1990. Results indicate that age, race, and ethnicity were found to have significant effects on the likelihood of homicide perpetrated by females. The cohabiting relationship was the only one in which females were more likely to murder than were males. The researchers recommend that future research focus on the relationship between race, ethnicity, age, and relationship types as well as the extent to which divergent expectations of relationships by males and females contribute to the violence exhibited by females in intimate relationships. Tables, references