Spatial Distribution of Male Juvenile Homicide and Territorial Inequality in Mexico City and State of Mexico (2000-2002 and 2010-2012)

Abstract

Male youth homicide is a growing phenomenon in Mexican urban suburbs. The aim of this article is to present certain correlations between the spatial distribution of male homicide and socioeconomic inequalities in municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants (Mexico City and Mexico State, 2000-2002 and 2010-2012). Through a cluster analysis, defined according to the characteristics of the population, male homicide (15 to 34 years) occurs at a higher rate in clusters with worse socioeconomic indicators. Homicide rates decreased in areas where rates were higher before and increased in the territorial units with better indicators, but the latter in a concentrated way among low- educated individuals. We conclude that since homicide particularly victimizes low income, young men, it deepens the inequalities and the relative disadvantages, which is corroborated with what Galtung (1990) calls the vicious triangle of violence.