DIFFERENCES IN THE CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION OF THE AGED AND NON-AGED AND THEIR FEARS OF AND REACTIONS TO CRIME

• NCJ Number: 52896
• Author(s): R FORSTON; L BENSON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PAPER PESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOUTHWESTERN SOCIAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION, DALLAS (TX), APRIL 1977

Annotation

STUDIES BY NORTH TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE U.S. JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND SEVERAL SURVEYS INDICATE THAT THE ELDERLY HAVE A GREATER FEAR OF AND REACTION TO CRIME THAN OTHER AGE GROUPS BUT ARE NOT THE MOST-VICTIMIZED GROUP.

Abstract

THE TEXAS STUDY EXAMINED THE CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION OF A STRATIFIED SAMPLE OF PEOPLE AGED 15 AND OLDER IN THE HOUSTON (TEX.) MODEL NEIGHBORHOOD AREA IN 1971 AND 1972, AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT STUDY USED A NATIONAL SAMPLE OF PEOPLE AGED 12 AND OLDER. THE TEXAS STUDY SHOWED THAT THE ELDERLY ARE VICTIMIZED MORE THAN OTHER GROUPS FOR ROBBERY, SWINDLING, AND PURSE SNATCHING, BUT THAT PERSONS UNDER 65 ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS OF BURGLARY AND THEFT AND ARE VICTIMIZED 50 PERCENT MORE THAN THE ELDERLY FOR ALL CRIMES. THE NATIONAL SURVEY SHOWED THAT THE AGED ARE COMPARATIVELY OVERVICTIMIZED ONLY FOR PURSE SNATCHING AND THAT THE VERY YOUNG HAD THE HIGHEST VICTIMIZATION RATES. THE RESULTS OF THESE STUDIES AND OF SEVERAL NATIONAL SURVEYS SHOW THAT IN GENERAL, THE ELDERLY TEND TO BELIEVE THAT THE CRIME RATE IS INCREASING AND THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE UNSAFE AND THAT THEY ADVOCATE A MORE PUNITIVE HANDLING OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS THAN YOUNGER PERSONS. SEVERAL EXPLANATIONS ARE CONSIDERED FOR THIS INCONSISTENCY. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT, BECAUSE OF THEIR ACCUMUALTED EXPERIENCES WITH CRIME WHICH MOLD CRIMINAL PERCEPTIONS, THE ELDERLY HAVE UNIQUE ATTITUDES ABOUT CRIMINALITY. THEY MAY ALSO CONSIDER THEMSELVES MORE PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY VULNERABLE. (DAG)