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Femicide Video Series

Females' labor force participation and intimate femicide: An empirical assessment of the backlash hypothesis

Study
North America

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Using data from the Supplementary Homicide Reports in conjunction with 1990 U.S. census data in a cross-sectional analysis, this paper tests the proposition that increased participation of women in the paid labor force will elevate the incidence of females' intimate homicide victimization. In part, results support the backlash hypothesis. Specifically, they suggest that a growth in the female labor force participation rate decreases the poverty rate. Reductions in the poverty rate, in turn, augment the incidence of intimate lethal violence against women. We discuss the theoretical implications of these results. This article is only accessible with journal subscription.

External Authors

Edem F. Avakame
The idea that females' access to the labor market may influence intimate femicide derives from the work of feminist scholars. According to Dobash and Dobash (1979), for example, males' dominance of women, especially in marital relationships, is perpetuated through women's economic dependence on their husbands (see also Allen & Straus, 1980; Kalmuss & Straus, 1990; Straus, Gelles, & Steinmeitz, 1980; Yllo & Straus, 1990).

 

 


 

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