Int. j. econ. manag. soc. sci., Vol(3), No (12), December, 2014. pp.

791-793

TI Journals

International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences

www.tijournals.com

ISSN:
2306-7276

Copyright 2014. All rights reserved for TI Journals.

A Criminological Study on Family Homicide and its Reasons in the

Lorestan Province
Maryam Shabazi *
M. A. Student in Penal and Criminology, Zanjan Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University,Zanjan, Iran.

Farhad Edrisi
Assistant Professor, Zanjan Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran.
*Corresponding author: shahbazi@email.com

Keywords

Abstract

Criminology
Family homicide
Lorestan

Family homicide is a common term involving various instances. Generally it refers to murders taken place in a
family in which close relationship by blood or foster relationship exists between members and one kills the other or
others. As reported by police, stats show that family homicide is increasing and it could be warning if due attention is
not given. According to it 657 family murders perpetrated in 2007 that set the highest levels and also there were 492
murder cases in 2001. The current survey is seeking to find out effective, social factors contributing to the family
homicide in the province of Lorestan. The historical method was applied in this study and lawsuits filed in the house
of justice in the province of Lorestan studied as well.

1.

Introduction

Establishing moral standards as well as good human characteristics like; tenderness, self-devotion and pardon in the intimate atmosphere of family
then spreading those in the society through making loving relationship and deep friendship are the first and the most important role of a family. The
responsibility of family, as the foundation of a moral society and intricate ties in it are resulted from the typical feature it has as to make a unified,
consolidated human connection within a society. These principles are derived from the love of God and the agreement between wife and husband and
fondness between children and parents are the most obvious consequence of it. In a family each members feel responsibility upon their shoulders and
are entitled to their own rights, each of them knowing the ultimate goal of family in the welfare and bliss of other members [2].But family does not
always conjure up the same image in mind. Social, economic and cultural conditions as well as political status of society could put pressure on
individuals which turns into violence that could be seen in different levels of society and even inside the most basic part of it that is family.
The violence affecting members of a family is sometimes so extreme that it goes beyond the family and influencing society, namely, homicide. Sadly
these sorts of murders are growing nowadays and the peace and security of families begin to collapse due to it. According to a study performed in the
first three months of 2006, 22 percent of murders are of family homicide type and they have been increasing by 3 percent in May, 2014 rising to 25
percent. This growth have been continuing over the recent years and today it includes 30 percent of all murder cases in country according to latest
researches and stats. As the results it is known that Iran is 50thcountry in the world as to family homicide by 8.2 percent of murder in each 100k
persons [1].
The family homicides could be carried out due to various reasons and stimulus. Among those the social factors play a crucial role as the definite,
underlying factors in family murders.

2.

Investigating social reasons leads to family homicides in the province of Lorestan

A. Investigating the impact of family conditions on murders with emphasis on the family homicide (inside the family)
I. Family attempt as a factor causing family homicide
As behavior is of acquired characteristic and children are usually learned to behave and act as the result of punishment and encouragement they
receive and in interaction with their immediate environment in the first years of living, family could play a significant role in educating them,
creating their attitude and forming their behavior and without the doubt socializing children is one of its basic responsibilities. This role is so
important that many believe principles, thoughts, ideas, attitudes and orientation a child acquired from family along with experiencing them in a real
condition result in each children become communicative separately and differently and then come into the society [11]. Dr. Monou, children
psychiatrics, stated in his book titled The impact of family disputes on mental disorders of children:
An approximate 65 percent of young criminals grew up in families in which there were disagreement and a lot of bad blood between members or
separation between parents [12].
II. Death of parents
The death of parents in one of the reasons leads to family collapse. Due to current system in the most Iranian families it could have disturbing effects
on children and rest of the family. One who lost his/her father and has to live with step-father or one who lost his/her mother and has to live with
step-mother will face numerous difficulties in his/her future life. No woman is able to replace the orphans real mother and there are few men who
are able to behave as a real father for one who lost his father [10].
The results of research conducted on the young criminals in the province of Lorestan indicated that they came from families in which they were
exposed to gross mistreatment and parents were negligent about their affairs, a huge number of these teenagers never tasted the love of their parents
and contention existed between members of family, in many cases parents were divorced. Mainly 91% of these young criminals suffers from severe

Maryam Shabazi *, Farhad Edrisi

792

International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(3), No (12), December, 2014.

affective disorders caused by lose of father. Giving children excessive, insensible love and keep them from others make them aloof and distant and
impede the process of socialization. These children become rude and abusive and show anti-social behavior in future [4].
III. Divorce
The number of divorces is, unfortunately growing in the country that means half of men and women, who married enthusiastically someday, make up
their mind to put an end to their matrimonial relationship after a while. Divorce is an important factor worthy of studying due to the negative impacts
of parents separation on future of children. In divorce couples feel so much hatred toward one another that want to break up their relationship
without offering any convincing reason [10]. Experts affirm that divorce is among factors could make committing crimes easier for youth.

3.

Euthanasia

Some of family homicide cases are caused by illness of a member of family suffering from an incurable physical disease especially when cost of
treatment is so high and nursing the patient is so exhaustive i.e. a family life could change because of a child whose disease caused by cancer and
looking after him/her is so costly, further parents should spend so much time looking after him/her, in such case family is able to be in society and
among relatives less often and forced to waive much of leisure time and many interests. Such family is ashamed of having a sick child and refuses to
take him/her to public. All of abovementioned difficulties caused by an ill child could finally tempt the parents to get free of problems by killing their
own child and it is more likely to happen in families with limited funds who are unable to provide money for treatment and patient care [3].
B. The influence of outdoor environment on murder with emphasis on the family homicide (outside the family).
I. The impact of mass Medias, educational environment, friends of the same age and associates participation in the family homicide.
Mass Medias have a great number of audiences who are ranged from kinds to old ones and are responsible for informing people and should provide
them with suitable patterns of life [8].
In respect of criminology mass Medias are center of attention and considered as an effective and important factor due to their undeniable impact on
development of identity and creating standards in a society especially in impressionable children [6].
Sutherland said it is mostly seen that children play the role of criminals after watching them on TV. According to studies carried out it revealed that
10% of men and 25% of women committed crimes and other wrong doing under the influence of satellite and TVs advertising programs [7].
II. The influence of friends of the same age on the family homicide
Making groups among the youth is not necessarily to committee crimes at first. But through some events such as; clashes with police, careless,
insensible treatment of parents and educational authorities, conflict with other gangs, drug abusing and street robberies connection between the
members becomes solidified and the group will be organized. Conflicts in family and carelessness of parents are the most important factors
persuading children and youngsters to escape from home, seeking shelter on streets and making friends with thugs. Children and youth gather
together to share common feeling of rejection from family, or to satisfy their affective needs or to protect each other or just to have fun, etc. then
gradually turning into a unified gang under the influence of circumstances and other events [5]. Although membership in a group is not a crime, it
gets them involved in criminal deeds very often. The surveys disclosed that girls participation in the criminal groups is not so great at the moment,
but the number of those in gangs is escalating faster than boys involved in such groups [9].
III. The interference of associates and relatives
Each persons world view is peculiar due to his specific culture. Additionally culture is always changing over time i.e. imagine parents of groom or
bride want to guide the couple in accordance with their own deeply-rooted views. But those opinions may be contradictory to those of the couple and
even causes some disagreement between them due to its discord to distinct standards of either party to the marriage, should they try to use those
guidelines in their married life. It should be pointed out here that sometimes the intervention of couples relatives does not reflect their mercy and
kindness, but envy, revenge, and malice and it aims at separation of the couple and having destructive effect on their married life. Therefore couples
should not react positively to these sorts of interferences because taking such malicious advises is harmful and has irrecoverable effects on the family
life. In short, it could be said about the unnecessary and constant intervention of relatives in the life of young couple that: jealousy, malice, panache,
tyranny, stubbornness, aggression, depression, aloofness, despair, pessimism, addiction, unlawful relationship, evasion, divorce and at the end murder
are the outcomes of interference in life of couples [5].

4.

Conclusion

According to the social reasons studied here leading into family homicide, it could be stated that some factors like the effect caused by the absolute
dominance of wife or husband in family, associates intervention, amount of income, or unemployment are underlying factors could motivate family
murders.
The violence against women and children in family is another crucial, factor motivating family homicide. Anger and rage are considered as a moral
illness and one of the biggest harms to a family and resentment, disagreement and disputes are the results of it threatening the peace of whole
familys members. The violent behavior of father makes the atmosphere of family empty of every kindness and empathy and breeding hatred and
animosity in children. This has been proven as a leading factor in family homicide in the lawsuit investigated through this study. The following
factors could be named as deterrent preventing the family homicide from taking place: forgiveness and pardon, discussion to find solution,
withdrawal of husband or wife in a dispute, huffing and puffing instead of getting involved in an argument, taking compliant into the family court,
threatening, asking advice from elderly relatives, neighbors help, and referring to the police and court of justice.
On the impact of TV it is stated that: people spend so much time watching TV without regard to their degree level, sex, reading habits, newspapers
tending to show society more dangerous that it really is, never committing anti-social acts, while a few responding violently and in an anti-social way
to the same programs. Because an article in a newspaper or publishing a news in presses or airing a movie on TV conveying a specific message it
could actualize a potency existing in some dangerous persons into committing crimes when it is transmitted and understood by those, though it could
not expressly said that the major reason causing family homicide is mass Medias, their influence on such crime is undeniable.

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A Criminological Study on Family Homicide and its Reasons in the Lorestan Province
International Journal of Economy, Management and Social Sciences Vol(3), No (12), December, 2014.

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