Homicide

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Absent fathers and murderous mothers

26 Sep 05:50am

Filed under: Children, Homicide, Murder, Parenting, Society

The murder of 10-year-old Zahra Baker was horrific. No surprises there. Homicides are rarely known for their rainbows, fluffy puppies and happy endings.

Zahra Baker's father didn't notice she was missing for 15 days. Pic: AP

But there is one aspect of the killing that is especially shocking – not because it reflects a particularly perverse aspect of criminality but because it exemplifies a family problem that is so prevalent it’s rarely seen as a problem.

I’m speaking here of absent fathers.

Continue reading "Absent fathers and murderous mothers" »

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Dirtman says:

12:42pm | 03/10/11

Dear Emma, Thanks for the new epithet with which to hate myself. I’m an ab-dad, and I’m guilty of being complicit in Zahara Baker’s murder because of my patriarchal ways. Or my penis. Same thing I guess. Seriously. You say you can’t name a woman you actually know who would… Read more »
Peter(BD) says:

11:21am | 30/09/11

Hmmm it seems to me most of the female types abusing the father haven’t worked 16 or twenty hour days day after day as some of us have to support the family the best possible way we know. Yep we do lose touch but if the kid doesn’t have the… Read more »

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penbo 28 May 12 06:12PM

@GreenJ lady boy.

penbo 28 May 12 06:07PM

@GreenJ how dare you even suggest such a thing. I'd love to blog from their traning session though about what a pack of toffs they are

antsharwood 28 May 12 04:50PM

RT @kellieconnolly: @penbo @antsharwood Not judging Hackett but to set the record straight again I had been asking 9 for a redundancy and left on good terms

penbo 28 May 12 04:01PM

Feisty piece by @antsharwood leading http://t.co/5WsLF5Pf on how ch 9 can punt spiteri connolly rowe but not the delightful grant hackett

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