A 2010 study from the Illinois News Bureau discovered that nearly 70% of Amazon reviews of true-crime books are by women. In 2018, ABC's annual podcast survey revealed that 44% of podcast listeners, listened to true crime in the past month, up from 30% in 2017. The study was strong with women in particular, with their percentage of listening increasing by 15 percentage points. True crime has become a popular genre in recent years, with many drawn to the mystery, suspense, and drama of real-life crimes. However, this interest in true crime has also led to some serious problems.
It may seem as if we're paying attention to one side of the aisle here; we are. Specifically, because the true crime genre has such a heavy hold on the female demographic. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, it's entertainment after all. Does the genre as a whole have a net-negative effect on society though?
Do the side effects of online bullying, false accusations, hyperbolic positions, and perpetrator idolization justify the entertainment? Not every true crime story incorrectly analyzes its respective case; there are many that do an excellent job. With the rise in popularity, matched with the increase in creative discussion, it would be foolish to assume that "liberties" aren't taken.
In episode 83 of the Wolf and Bull podcast, we explore the ways in which the true crime genre can be problematic, discussing how it can impact the people involved in the crimes, society as a whole, and its most significant listening demographic: women. Baewolf provides some excellent perspectives since she is a true crime fan!
Tune in every week for new episodes! If you'd like to support our podcast directly, you can do so here. Any support directly into the creation of future episodes and content.