Female homicide in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

This study aimed to assess the female homicide rate due to aggression in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, using this as a "proxy" of femicide. This was an ecological study which correlated the female homicide rate due to aggression in Rio Grande do Sul, according to the 35 microregions defined by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), with socioeconomic and demographic variables access and health indicators. Pearson's correlation test was performed with the selected variables. After this, multiple linear regressions were performed with variables with p < 0.20. The standardized average of female homicide rate due to aggression in the period from 2003 to 2007 was 3.1 obits per 100 thousand. After multiple regression analysis, the final model included male mortality due to aggression (p = 0.016), the percentage of hospital admissions for alcohol (p = 0.005) and the proportion of ill-defined deaths (p = 0.015). The model have an explanatory power of 39% (adjusted r2 = 0.391). The results are consistent with other studies and indicate a strong relationship between structural violence in society and violence against women, in addition to a higher incidence of female deaths in places with high alcohol hospitalization

Suicídio de homens idosos no Brasil Suicide of elderly men in Brazil

Discute-se o suicídio de homens idosos no Brasil. O texto se fundamenta em estudos de gênero e masculinidades e dá ênfase ao sentido de "masculinidade hegemônica" dentro da lógica do patriarcalismo que, no caso dos suicídios, se expressa na perda do trabalho como referência existencial e no sentido de honra como escudo. O estudo contempla casos de 40 homens que faleceram por suicídio no período entre 2006 a 2009 em dez municípios do país e tinham idade acima de 60 anos. Pela técnica de autópsia psicossocial foram coletados e analisados dados da história e modo de vida; avaliação dos antecedentes; impacto na família; letalidade do método; proximidade de fontes de apoio; tentativas anteriores; estado mental que antecedeu o ato; reações da família e da comunidade. Embora sejam vários os fatores que se associam à morte autoinfligida nesse grupo social, é inegável a importância da cultura masculina hegemônica na preeminência do número de suicídios de homens idosos em relação com as mulheres idosas. É fundamental dar atenção especial aos homens nos momentos de passagem da vida laboral para a aposentadoria, nas situações de perdas de familiares referenciais e quando são diagnosticados com enfermidades crônicas degenerativas que provoquem deficiências, perda de autonomia ou impotência sexual.<br>This paper assesses the suicide of elderly men in Brazil. The text is based on studies of gender and masculinity and emphasizes the sense of "hegemonic masculinity" within the logic of patriarchalism that, in the case of suicide, is expressed in the loss of employment as an existential reference and as a loss of honor. The study includes 40 cases of men over 60 who committed suicide between 2007 and 2010 in ten districts of the country. Using the psychosocial autopsy technique, data were collected and analyzed from their history and lifestyle; evaluation of the background to the act; the impact on their families; lethality of the method; proximity to sources of support; previous attempts; mental status which preceded the act; reaction of families and communities. Although many factors are associated with self-inflicted death in this social group, the influence of a hegemonic masculinity culture in the predominance of suicides among elderly men compared with elderly women is undeniable. It is essential to give special attention to men at the moment of transition from working life to retirement, loss or important family members, and when they are diagnosed with chronic and degenerative diseases that cause disabilities, loss of autonomy or sexual impotence

Did the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 get it right? Are all honour killings revenge killings?

The Coroners and Justice Act 2009 substantially reshaped the law on provocation in England and Wales. The Act was prompted by the Government and guided by the Law Commission. It is unfortunate that the Commission and Government dismissed the issue of honour killings so quickly, on the basis of unconvincing research evidence. Honour killing cases were ruled out as potential provocation cases and left outside the scope of the defence of loss of control, by assuming that in honour killing cases the defendant must have acted in a considered desire for revenge. However, the Act is flawed by the assumption that all honour killing cases are revenge killings. In the light of the author's research, this article will argue that there are honour killing cases the circumstances of which deserve to be left to the jury, as the desire for revenge is not the motive at all and the defendant was able to resist the pressure until the final triggering act. © The Author(s) 2013 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav

Early maturing Kipsigis women have higher reproductive success than late maturing women and cost more to marry

Demographic analyses from 3 cohorts of Kenyan Kipsigis women married between 1940 and 1973 demonstrate that early maturing women have higher reproductive success than do late maturing women, due to longer reproductive lifespans and higher fertility. This result is independent of confounding effects of husband's wealth, but not of the wealth of a woman's parents which affects both menarcheal age and subsequent reproductive success. Data on bridewealth payments at 194 marriages occurring after 1959 show that men make higher marriage payments for early maturing women than for late maturing women. Together these results suggest that Kipsigis men vary their marriage payments in accordance with the reproductive value of their brides. The question of why men use age at menarche rather than bride's parents' wealth as a cue to their bride's subsequent reproductive performance is discussed in the light of changing social and economic conditions experienced by Kipsigis since the late 1920s.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/46888/1/265_2004_Article_BF00292097.pd