NCJ Number
243276
Date Published
July 2013
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This British study tested the hypothesis that an increase in male unemployment decreases the incidence of intimate partner violence (IPV), but an increase in female unemployment increases domestic abuse.
Abstract
This hypothesis was strongly supported, based on analyses of data on IPV obtained from the British Crime Survey and locally disaggregated labor market data from the United Kingdom's Annual Population Survey. The estimates imply that a 3.7-percent increase in male unemployment, as observed in England and Wales over the sample period (2004-2011) paralleled a decline in the incidence of IPV by up to 12 percent. Conversely, the 3-percent increase in female unemployment observed over the same period paralleled an increase in the incidence of domestic abuse by up to 10 percent. There was no evidence to support the hypothesis that IPV increased with the overall unemployment rate, which supports findings of previous studies that suggest near zero effects of total unemployment on IPV. The study also poses and analyzes an economic model that explains these findings. Under this model, the male's absence of income provides a strong incentive for him to control his aggressive/violent behavior so as not to offend his employed wife, since his own security depends upon her willingness to remain in the relationship. In addition, her willingness to escape his abusive behavior is facilitated by her economic independence. On the other hand, when the woman is unemployed, her power to exert economic-related restraints on her male partner's abusive behavior toward her is reduced. The statistical analysis that supports this explanation of the gender-related impact of unemployment on IPV is presented. 9 tables and 13 references