Gender bias in the convergence dynamics of the regional homicide rates in Mexico

• Published in: Applied geography (Sevenoaks) 2013-12, Vol.45, p.280-291
• Main Authors: Valdivia, Marcos, Castro, Roberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Convergence of crimes; Gender gap; Modernization–conflict hypotheses; Spatial panel models
• ISSN: 0143-6228; 1873-7730
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apgeog.2013.09.015

The geography of violence in Mexico has changed in recent years because of an explosive increase in regional homicide rates since 2006. This study relies on spatial statistical data analysis to address the issue of convergence in homicide victim rates across Mexican municipalities from 2001 to 2010. Based on the results of spatial panel modeling, we conclude that despite strong regional disparities in murders, municipal-level homicide growth rates display a pattern of convergence with spatial interaction features. This convergent pattern is gender-specific; the homicide growth rates for females show stronger convergence than those for males when local and regional factors are not considered. We postulate that homicide growth dynamics among females more closely follow the predictions of the “modernization hypothesis” than do the dynamics among males. This finding suggests that violence (specifically, homicides) against women in Mexico is driven by underlying factors other than short-term factors, such as drug cartel dynamics, and regional factors, such as local institutions and governments. The data might support the long-established feminist hypothesis that contends that violence against women follows specific dynamics that are different from the dynamics of violence against men. •We use spatial panel regressions to study the convergence dynamics of the homicide growth rates.•The homicide growth dynamics display spatial externalities.•The homicide growth rates of female victims show stronger regional convergence than that of males.•Male homicide victims are more responsive to local dynamics which translates into stronger hot spots.•Homicide growth dynamics among females follow the predictions of the “modernization hypothesis”.