Northwestern University Study Finds Gender Gap in Those Accused of Shaking Babies

A study conducted by researchers at Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University, has found that men are significantly more likely than women to be accused of child abuse for violently shaking babies. The study found nearly 3,000 cases nationwide of adults being accused of causing shaken-baby syndrome. The data showed that men made up 72.5 percent of those accused of such crimes and women were 27.5 percent of those accused of causing shaken-baby syndrome.

Shaken-baby syndrome crimes result from the violent shaking of a child under the age of two. The violent action can result in brain swelling, brain bleeding, and bleeding within the eye. The researchers postulate that men are not as well versed in childcare and thus may be more likely to engage in behavior that can be harmful to children.