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Related Experiment Videos

Step-parents and infanticide: new data contradict evolutionary predictions.

H Temrin1, S Buchmayer, M Enquist

  • 1Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Sweden.

Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|June 15, 2000
PubMed
Summary

Evolutionary psychology predicts higher risk for children with step-parents. However, Swedish data from 1975-1995 found no increased risk for children in step-parent families, contradicting earlier findings.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary psychology
  • Criminology
  • Family studies

Background:

  • Evolutionary psychology posits that parental investment is linked to genetic relatedness.
  • This theory predicts higher rates of child maltreatment and homicide by step-parents due to lower genetic investment.
  • Previous studies, particularly in Canada, appeared to support this prediction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the risk of child homicide in step-parent families in Sweden.
  • To compare homicide rates in step-parent families with those in genetically related parent families.
  • To examine the overrepresentation of step-parents as offenders in child homicides.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive survey of all child homicides in Sweden between 1975 and 1995 was conducted.

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  • Data were analyzed to compare the risk of homicide for children living with at least one step-parent versus those living with two genetically related parents.
  • The study identified offenders in child homicide cases to assess step-parent involvement.

    • Main Results:

    • Contrary to predictions and Canadian data, children in Swedish step-parent families did not face an increased risk of homicide.
    • The frequency of child homicide was not disproportionately high in families with a step-parent.
    • No evidence indicated an overrepresentation of step-parents as offenders in child homicide cases.

    Conclusions:

    • The findings challenge the universal applicability of evolutionary psychology predictions regarding step-parental investment and child homicide risk.
    • Environmental or cultural factors in Sweden may mitigate the risks suggested by evolutionary models.
    • Further research is needed to understand variations in step-family dynamics and child safety across different populations.