NCJ Number
75567
Journal
Sociological Focus Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1980) Pages: 55-66
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The joint or combined effects of age level, sex differences, and social factors in fear of crime are systematically investigated by using elaboration analysis on 1976 National Opinion Research Center (NORC) data.
Abstract
The study goal was to identify groups of highly fearful citizens in American society. Study data were drawn from the General Social Survey conducted nationwide by the NORC at the University of Chicago during March and April 1976. Using probability and block quota sampling techniques, 1,499 interviews were completed for a cross-section of noninstitutionalized, English-speaking people 18 years of age or older. Fear of crime was gauged from the responses to a question concerning nearby areas in which the respondent would be afraid to walk alone at night. In addition to grouping data by age and sex, the study used such social variables as size of urban area, marital status, living arrangements, race, health status, and direct experience with crime. Findings revealed that while the elderly are somewhat more likely to report fear of crime when compared with young and middle-aged groups, many more women express apprehension than men at each age level. Fear of being victimized is especially prevalent among those segments of the population that are the most isolated and vulnerable, notably elderly and middle-aged black women, unmarried older women living alone, elderly women in poor health, and women of all ages who have been burglarized. Data also indicated that most frightened groups have a relatively low probability of being victimized. It is concluded that additional research is needed to identify other sources of fear of crime and to better explain why women are more fearful than men. Twenty-five references and eight tables are provided. (Author abstract modified)