Patriarchy can explain gender difference in life expectancy

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Research from four continents reveals that male dominance can explain half the discrepancy between male and female life expectancy.
Why women tend to live longer than men is a bit of a mystery. New light is shed from a study by researchers at the University of Liverpool, UK, who have been looking at rates of female murders and male death rates in 51 countries. Violence against women is used to measure the extent of male dominance.

In every country in this study, women lived longer than men. The rate of female murder was strongly linked to the death rate of men from all causes. In other words, the higher the level of patriarchy - as measured by violence against women - the lower the male life expectancy. Oppression and exploitation harm the oppressor, as well as those they oppress, say the researchers. Male oppression can be overcome - and it will be good for the health of men, as well as for the wellbeing of women.

Source
Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health September 2005 Volume 59 pages 873-876

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