Research says dads kill families in last-ditch bid for masculinity

Fathers who slaughter their families are making a “last-ditch” attempt to perform a masculine role, new research has said.

The study said a “crisis in masculinity” is the common factor in such killings.

The research, conducted by criminologists in Birmingham City University, said family break-up is the most common cause (66%) of “family annihilation”, followed by financial difficulties and honour killings.