Factors in Murder or Double Suicide Cases Committed by Male Caregivers of the Elderly

An Analysis of Newspaper Articles

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explain the conditions and causes of murder or double suicide cases committed by male caregivers of elderly family members in terms of the gender factor, as 64.6% of the caregivers (assailants) were men, even though a large majority of caregivers who take care of the elderly are actually women. I used newspaper articles to analyze these cases, as formal statistical data and official documents on these cases were not available. Male care workers had positive motivation to become caregivers and there was a strong tendency to devote themselves to care from the norm of reciprocity etc. However, they could not depend on the people around them because of the gender norms which derived from conservative attitudes. As a result, the more they devoted themselves excessively to care, the greater the possibility of murder or double suicide became. Moreover, the comments of the people around them and the contents of newspaper articles were favorable and sympathetic. Thus, giving a high evaluation to the act of caregiving by a male family member may cause male caregivers to devote themselves even more to care.