The association between uneven sex ratios and violence: Evidence from 6 Asian countries.

Nadia Diamond-Smith,Kara Rudolph,Samuli Helle

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0197516

Nadia Diamond-Smith, Kara Rudolph + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197516

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Abstract

It has been hypothesized that uneven sex ratios in the population could lead to increased violence. The objective of this analysis is to explore the relationship between uneven sex ratios in the population and violence. This analysis uses data collected from men in six Asian countries about their experiences and perpetration of violence. We combine this with region- and age specific sex ratios calculated from Census data to explore the relationship between sex ratios and violence using multilevel models. We find that men from region-age brackets with higher ratios of men to women are significantly more likely to report ever having raped a woman, having perpetrated intimate partner violence, or having used a weapon. We find no evidence for an association between sex ratios and reports of ever having raped a man.

Highlights

Data Availability Statement: The UN data is not publicly available due to ethical restrictions
Being poorer/more food insecure, having less education, and reporting more equitable views on the Gender Equitable Men Scale (GEM) scale are significantly associated with lower odds of reporting having perpetrated rape, and being unemployed or married are significantly associated with higher odds
We find evidence that uneven sex ratios are associated with men reporting having perpetrated intimate partner violence

Summary

Background

Data Availability Statement: The UN data is not publicly available due to ethical restrictions (safety, sensitivity with government, etc.). The UN MultiCountry Study on Men and Violence in Asia and the Pacific collected data in 2010–2013 from men in urban and rural areas of six countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Sri Lanka) on their experiences of violence and perpetration of violence against women and other men. The association between uneven sex ratios and violence: Evidence from 6 Asian countries ranged from 10.4% in urban Bangladesh to 59.1% in Papua New Guinea, with an average of 24.3% across regions. It has the practical advantages of resulting in more level-two units, improving estimation The aim of this analysis is to explore the association between region and age-specific sex ratios on men’s reports of violence again women, against men, and use of a weapon in 6 Asian countries. We hypothesize that sex ratios favoring men will be associated with higher rates of all forms of violence

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Results

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