Citation

Schwartz J. J. Marriage Fam. 2006; 68(5): 1291-1312.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, National Council on Family Relations, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1741-3737.2006.00329.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Utilizing 2000 data on 1,618 counties and seemingly unrelated regression, I assess whether family structure effects on homicide vary across family structure measures and gender. There is evidence of robust, multidimensional family structure effects across constructs reflecting the presence of two-parent families: mother/father absence, shortages of employed men, and nonmarital/teen childbearing. Findings indicate mainly gender similarity in family structural sources of homicide, but subtle gender differences include stronger effects on male homicide patterns and female-specific mediating effects of the care burden on homicide. Further exploration of diverse family constructs is warranted, but, methodologically, father absence is adequate as a control for family structure. Public policies and social programs aimed at strengthening families could lessen violence among both women and men. (family violence)