My Husband Doesn’t Get My True Crime Obsession
Turns out I’m not alone
I’m obsessed
I love all things true crime. From binging podcasts during the workday to enjoying an Investigation Discovery marathon on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I’m always down for a compelling tale of whodunit punctuated by surprise twists and turns.
Turns out I’m not alone.
A recent Pew Research poll found that true crime is the most popular podcast genre in America. Another study suggests nearly half of Americans consume true crime content in one form or another.
My husband doesn’t get it
My hubby is stumped — and a little concerned — by my proclivity for all things criminal. It’s not just murder or missing persons cases that hold my attention. A good scam story or tale of thievery and mischief is always on the table. Sometimes I think he’s a little creeped out by my enthusiasm for crime stories — though he’s one of the first to cheer when a crook gets their comeuppance.
I used to think something was wrong with me, having such a dark obsession and I was relieved to discover I’m not alone. Most of my girlfriends confess that they tune in to the same stuff and that their husbands and significant others are equally flummoxed when they partake in true crime shows.
A close friend and I share a fangirl crush on Lieutenant Joe Kenda, The Homicide Hunter, and Dateline tops our list of go-to shows (Keith Morrison is legendary). I was pleasantly surprised to find out how many people tune into HLN’s Forensic Files from their hotel room when traveling (yup, me too!).
We often ponder the question of why the men in our lives don’t understand our fascination with crime tales. Maybe it’s a topic that attracts women in a way that men just don’t understand.
The stats suggest that may be the case, since consumers of true crime content have been shown to be overwhelming female, with reports saying anywhere from 70% to 75% of this audience is made up of women.
What’s the attraction?
Why are so many women into true crime? I found a Psychology Today article that asked this question. The author suggests that empathy fuels consumption of true crime content, with women being more naturally empathic than men. Empathy helps build emotional connection with the people and storyline.
A lot of women tune in to true crime content wanting to understand motives and triggers behind criminal behavior and the author of the Psychology Today article suggests this stems from a desire to feel safe and secure. Women also tune in for tips on how to protect themselves from becoming a crime victim.
The thing that pulled me in is the procedural aspect of true crime stories. My step-grandfather was a sheriff’s detective in Orange County, California, so maybe it’s a family thing. I love hearing how investigators track down and catch the ‘bad guys’ and the stories of cold cases being solved by determined detectives with a set of fresh eyes and an arsenal of new technologies fascinate me.
Maybe there’s something to the idea of wanting to feel safe and secure, because I feel reassured when perpetrators of evil deeds find themselves on the receiving end of the justice they deserve.
True crime fans are an interesting group. We speak the same language, have a convention dedicated to the topic, and we recognize the taglines of our favorite shows (“Stay sexy and don’t get murdered.”).
We don’t always talk about our obsession in public — just in case someone wants to get judgey on us. While we’re used to being misunderstood by those who don’t get us, it doesn’t stop us from catching the latest episodes of our favorite shows.
Are you true-crime obsessed?
With one in two Americans tuning in to true crime content, there’s a good chance you’re a fan. How do you know?
You might be a true crime fan if…
1. You know what a mass spectrometer is
2. You’ve seen every episode of classic Forensic Files — at least twice
3. You’ve subjected your family to a true crime podcast binge during a road trip.
4. You’ve been to CrimeCon
5. You dream of running your fingers through Keith Morrison’s luxurious hair
6. You know that Nic and The Captain don’t host a sailing podcast
7. You know what GEDmatch does
8. You’re a fan of either “Team Mike” or “Team Gibby”
9. You’ve shouted out “The Husband (or the Wife) did it!” in the middle of an episode
10. You’re the first to host a watch party for the latest Netflix true crime documentary
If you’re a true crime fan, don’t be afraid to shout it out, because you aren’t alone. Your tribe is out there waiting to welcome you with open arms.
You need not look very far to find a buddy who can’t wait to bond over the latest poddy and a glass of wine, which is great because true crime is a dish best served with good company.
References
[1] True Crime is the Most Popular Podcast Genre: Pew Research. https://variety.com/2023/biz/news/true-crime-podcast-popular-study-pew-research-1235646160/
[2] Why the True Crime Audience is Predominantly Female. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wicked-deeds/202306/why-the-true-crime-audience-is-predominantly-female#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20involved%20in,focus%20exclusively%20on%20true%20crime.
