In many cultures around the world, “honour” is a powerful word. It means respect, dignity, and pride. People want to protect their honour and the honour of their families. But sometimes, people go too far. They believe that someone in their family has brought shame. And then, they do something terrible. They commit a crime, sometimes even murder, and say it was “for honour.”
These are called honour crimes. But are they really about honour? Or is there something deeper going on inside the criminal mind? This blog will explore what honour crimes are, why people commit them, and what psychology tells us about the minds behind these acts.
What is an Honour Crime?
An honour crime is when a person, often a family member, hurts or kills someone, usually a woman, because they believe she has brought shame to the family. This can happen for many reasons:
- Talking to a boy
- Refusing an arranged marriage
- Wearing modern clothes
- Wanting a divorce
- Being a victim of rape (yes, shockingly, even this)
These acts are “shameful” in other cultures, or at least in sub-regions of South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. But honor crimes can occur anywhere, even in Western countries where people from these cultures have migrated.
A Crime, Not a Tradition
People say honour crimes are cultural or traditional. But not at all. A crime is a crime, regardless of the motive. Murder does not defend honour. It ruins it. Most scholars and religious leaders globally have stated that there is no place for this violence in religion.
Still, honour crimes continue. Why?
To understand this, we need to look inside the minds of the people who commit them.
Inside the Criminal Mind
Psychologists and criminologists, people who study crime, say that honour crimes are not only about culture. They are about control, fear, and ego.
Let’s break this down.
1. Control and Power
Many honour crimes are committed by men, fathers, brothers, or uncles. In some families, these men feel they must control the women. If a girl or woman makes her own choices in love, life, or career, it feels like a loss of control. Some men cannot accept this. They believe that to take back power, they must punish the woman.
This is not about honour. It is about male dominance and patriarchy, systems where men believe they should have control over women’s lives.
2. Fear of Shame
Shame is a strong emotion. In honour-based societies, people care deeply about what others say or think. Gossip, rumours, or even small actions can lead to shame. This fear can push someone to act in extreme ways.
The criminal may think, “If I don’t do something, people will laugh at me.” So, they act out of fear, fear of losing their place in society.
3. Ego and Pride
Some honour criminals have large egos. They see women as symbols of the family’s pride. When a woman acts freely, it feels like an attack on the man’s ego. He may feel humiliated. Instead of dealing with his emotions healthily, he uses violence to “get back” his pride.
This shows a lack of emotional intelligence and a dangerous belief system.
The Role of the Family and Society
In many honour crime cases, the criminal does not act alone. Sometimes, the whole family agrees with the crime. They support it. They even help plan it. Why?
Because honour is not an individual thing in these cultures. It is shared. An individual’s actions are perceived to affect the entire family. And some families would rather be criminals than shame themselves before others.
Also, in some places, the legal system is weak. Honour criminals may not face serious punishment. This makes them feel bold, like they can get away with murder.
Stories That Shock the World
Honour crimes have made headlines many times.
In Pakistan, Qandeel Baloch, a young social media star, was killed by her brother. He said she “shamed” the family. She was just 26 years old.
In Jordan, women have been killed by relatives for talking to men or refusing arranged marriages.
In the UK, a young woman named Banaz Mahmod was killed by her family for falling in love with the “wrong” man.
Again in pakistan, TikTokker Sana Yousaf was also targeted. She was reportedly murdered after facing online abuse and family pressure. Her case raised serious concerns about how social media visibility can put women at greater risk in honour-based cultures.
These are not just stories. These are real lives lost. These were women with hopes and dreams.
Read: more 10 Ways the Quran Speaks to Your Mind
Can Honour Crimes Be Stopped?
Yes, but it takes effort from everyone.
1. Education
When people learn about human rights, respect, and equality, their minds change. Schools, religious centers, and media must talk about honour crimes and why they are wrong.
2. Laws and Justice
Governments must create strong laws against honour crimes. They must punish the criminals, no excuses. A strong legal system saves lives.
3. Support for Victims
Women and girls must feel safe to speak out. They need shelters, helplines, and legal help. Many brave women have escaped honour violence with support from NGOs and activists.
4. Changing the Conversation
We must stop using the word “honour” to talk about these crimes. There is no honour in violence. Call it what it is: murder, abuse, oppression.
Final Thoughts
If we look within the mind of a person who commits an honour crime, we see fear, ego, and the need for control. We do not see honour. Honour is about respect, kindness, and courage towards others.
The world needs to move beyond the old concept of “honour.” It needs a new future where no one dies for love, freedom, or choice. Where families protect their daughters, not punish them. Where law, learning, and love challenge and change criminal minds.
Let us say it clearly:
There is no honour in killing.
There is only loss, pain, and shame in such acts.
Let’s stand together for justice, for change, and for every woman’s right to live free.
