NCJ Number
147260
Journal
American Sociological Review Volume: 36 Dated: (1971) Pages: 412-427
Date Published
1971
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This analysis of regional and racial variations in homicide rates concludes that today's high homicide rates in the United States are related mainly to the persistence of Southern cultural traditions developed before the Civil War and subsequently spreading over much of the country.
Abstract
The analysis considered the concept of a regional cultural of violence and noted that in 1880 Redfield attributed the higher homicide rates in the South to a lack of regard for human life, an exaggerated sense of honor, and the unnecessary carrying of weapons in that region. The present research constructed an Index of Southernness to indicate the influence of Southern culture in various States. Scores ranged from 5 to 30 to indicate the proportion of influence of Southern and Northern culture. The research used a multiple regression analysis homicide data from each State in 1960. Results revealed that the degree of Southernness in the culture of the population of the States accounts for more of the variation in homicide rates than do other factors such as income, education, percent urban, or age. Qualitative historical analysis supports the same conclusion. Findings explain most of both regional variations and the differences between the murder rates of the United States and those of comparable countries such as Canada and Australia. Tables and 36 references (Author abstract modified)