Comparative Study of Children and Adult Homicide Rates in the USA and the Major Western Countries 1974-1999: Grounds for Concern?

• NCJ Number: 203027
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 18 Issue: 6 Dated: December 2003 Pages: 341-350
• Author(s): Colin Pritchard; Alan Butler
• Date Published: December 2003
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Using standardized World Health Organization mortality data for 1974-78 and 1995-99, this study determined 5-year mean rates of homicide for babies (less than 1 year old), infants (1-4 years old), children (5-14 years old), and the general population for the United States and major Western countries.

Abstract

Over the period examined, homicides of male babies in the United States increased by 78 percent; and homicides of female babies increased 44 percent; the combined increase in homicides for all children (0-14 years old) increased 45 percent. These increases occurred while the general population rates for homicide were declining. In the 1970's, three major Western countries had either higher or similar children's homicide rates as the United States, but by the late 1990's none of these countries had either higher or similar child homicide rates as the United States. Moreover, between 1974 and 1999, the United States had the largest increase in baby (less than 1 year) and all children's (0-14 years old) deaths. Only France had substantial increases in all children's homicides over this period; baby homicide rates declined significantly in six other countries. Since homicides of babies had the greatest increases, this finding strengthens the link with child abuse, which is often associated with other family pathology: family breakdown, adolescent parenthood, poverty, crime, education underachievement, etc. It may thus be inferred that baby homicide rates constitute a proxy measure for the extent of changes in underlying child abuse. This, in turn, reflects underlying socioeconomic circumstances, particularly the distribution of wealth and the ratio of inequality. The paper advises that urgent case-specific research is required to determine the causes for and how to reverse the worsening child homicide situation in the United States. 2 figures, 4 tables, and 69 references