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

Violence Vict. 1999 Fall;14(3):277-91.

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Homicide / psychology
  • Homicide / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Models, Statistical*
  • Population Surveillance
  • Poverty / psychology
  • Poverty / statistics & numerical data
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk Factors
  • Spouse Abuse / psychology
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Women, Working / psychology
  • Women, Working / statistics & numerical data*