Incomprehensible Crimes: Media Coverage of Homicides of Children Perpetuated by Family Members

• In Event: Media Coverage and Representations of Violence

Abstract

For many members of society, the media informs everything they "know" about crime, the crimes that are committed, and the typical perpetrator of crime. This project examines media coverage of homicides of children in which a family member committed, was accused of, or was suspected in committing the murder of a child. A qualitative analysis of national news stories between January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2014 was performed and focused on how the media discussed these incomprehensible crimes in terms of potential motives and within the context of the familial relationship. Media portrayals of these crimes, however, are informative on more than just the crime and the reason(s) that is occurred. As such, this project also focuses heavily on how these media portrayals are informative on and reflective of societal views on parenting and other familial relationships.

Author

• Amy Baumann Grau, Eastern New Mexico University