Why Women Kill

Why Women Kill? Understanding the Complexities of Female Aggression

Violent crime is typically associated with men, but women also engage in aggressive behavior that can result in homicide. While women are less likely to commit murder than men, their motives and methods of killing are often different. Female aggression is a complex issue, and understanding why women kill requires examining a range of factors, including biological, psychological, and social influences.

Biological Factors

Research has suggested that there may be biological differences that contribute to female aggression. Hormones, in particular, have been studied as a potential factor in violent behavior. Testosterone is often associated with aggression, but women also produce small amounts of this hormone. Some research suggests that higher levels of testosterone may be linked to increased aggression in women. However, the relationship between testosterone and female aggression is not yet fully understood.

Other biological factors, such as brain structure and function, may also contribute to female aggression. Studies have found that women who engage in violent behavior often have differences in brain structure and function compared to women who do not exhibit aggressive tendencies. For example, research has shown that women who are prone to violence may have reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that is responsible for regulating behavior and decision-making.

Psychological Factors

Psychological factors also play a significant role in female aggression. Childhood trauma, for example, has been linked to an increased risk of violent behavior in women. A study of female prisoners found that those who had experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse in childhood were more likely to have committed homicide than those who had not experienced such trauma.

Mental illness is another psychological factor that can contribute to violent behavior in women. Depression, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders are all associated with an increased risk of homicide. In some cases, women who kill may be experiencing psychosis, which can cause delusions and hallucinations that may lead to violent behavior.

Social Factors

Social factors, including cultural norms and societal expectations, also play a role in female aggression. Women who grow up in environments where violence is normalized or accepted may be more likely to engage in violent behavior themselves. In some cultures, violence may even be seen as a way for women to gain power and respect.

Gender roles and expectations can also influence female aggression. In societies where women are expected to be submissive and passive, those who do not conform to these expectations may be more likely to engage in aggressive behavior. On the other hand, women who have been taught to be assertive and competitive may be more likely to engage in violent behavior as a way to achieve their goals.

Types of Female Killers

While women may kill for a variety of reasons, research has identified several common types of female killers. These include:

Intimate Partner Killers: Women who kill their current or former romantic partners. These killings are often the result of domestic violence or abuse.

Filicide: Women who kill their own children. These killings are often motivated by mental illness, extreme stress, or a desire to protect the child from perceived harm.

Female Serial Killers: Women who kill multiple people over a period of time. These killings are often motivated by a desire for power or control.

Revenge Killers: Women who kill in response to a perceived wrong, such as infidelity or betrayal. These killings are often impulsive and may be motivated by a desire for revenge or justice.

Conclusion

Understanding why women kill requires examining a range of factors, including biological, psychological, and social influences. While women are less likely to commit murder than men, their motives and methods of killing are often different. Biological factors such as hormone levels and brain structure, psychological factors such as childhood trauma and mental illness, and social factors such as cultural norms and gender roles all play a role

References:

Babchishin, K. M., & Farrell, A. H. (2020). A systematic review of female sexual homicide perpetrators. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 55, 101457.

Barnett, J. E., & Osman, S. L. (2020). Female serial killers: A review. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 65(4), 1234-1241.

Coid, J., Yang, M., Ullrich, S., Zhang, T., Sizmur, S., Roberts, A., & Rogers, R. D. (2011). Psychopathy among prisoners in England and Wales. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 34(4), 282-288.

Huff-Corzine, L., & Corzine, J. (2019). Gender, crime, and the criminal justice system. Routledge.

Krug, E. G., Mercy, J. A., Dahlberg, L. L., & Zwi, A. B. (2002). The world report on violence and health. The Lancet, 360(9339), 1083-1088.

Petersen, J. L., & Farrington, D. P. (2007). Cruelty to animals and violence to people. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 22(10), 1385-1404.

Sociedade Brasileira de Psiquiatria (2019). Manual de Transtornos Mentais - DSM-V. Porto Alegre: Artmed.

Stuart, G. L., & McGeary, J. E. (2009). A review of the genetics of aggression. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 14(5), 318-325.

Tremblay, R. E., Nagin, D. S., Séguin, J. R., Zoccolillo, M., Zelazo, P. D., Boivin, M., … & Japel, C. (2004). Physical aggression during early childhood: Trajectories and predictors. Pediatrics, 114(1), e43-e50.

Wilson, M., & Daly, M. (1985). Competitiveness, risk taking, and violence: The young male syndrome. Ethology and Sociobiology, 6(1), 59-73.

Wilson, M., & Daly, M. (1992). The man who mistook his wife for a chattel. The Wilson Quarterly, 16(4), 52-62.

World Health Organization. (2002). World report on violence and health. Geneva, Switzerland: Author.