NCJ Number
44341
Date Published
1977
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE ELDERLY IS EXAMINED IN TERMS OF THE PROCESS OF SOCIAL EXCHANGE.
Abstract
SOCIAL VICTIMIZATION OCCURS WHEN ANY INDIVIDUAL IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY SOME ASPECT OF SOCIETY OVER WHICH HE OR SHE HAS LITTLE OR NO CONTROL. THE SOCIAL EXCHANGE MODEL VIEWS INDIVIDUALS AS INTERACTING WITH ONE ANOTHER IN ORDER TO FULLFILL NEEDS. THESE EXCHANGES INVOLVE EFFORTS TO MAXIMIZE REWARDS AND MINIMIZE COSTS. INDIVIDUALS EXPECT THEIR REWARDS TO BE PROPORTIONAL TO THEIR COSTS AND EQUIVALENT TO REWARDS RECEIVED BY OTHERS. HOWEVER, INDIVIDUALS MAY DIFFER IN HOW THEY VALUE AND RANK REWARDS. WHEN THIS IMBALANCE OCCURS, GREATER POWER ACCRUES TO THE INDIVIDUAL WHO HOLDS THE SUPERIOR BENEFITS AND IS LESS DEPENDENT ON THE EXCHANGE TO MEET HIS OWN NEEDS. THERE ARE SEVERAL STRATEGIES FOR GAINING THE UPPER HAND IN SOCIAL EXCHANGES AND FOR AVOIDING DEPENDENCY AND COMPLIANCE: GAINING STATUS BY SUPPLYING A VALUED RESOURCE; EXTENDING ONE'S POWER NETWORK BY OBTAINING RESOURCES ELSEWHERE; ENGAGING IN PHYSICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL COERCION; AND DECIDING TO DO WITHOUT THE RESOURCE. ALL OF THESE STRATEGIES ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL WHEN PURSUED COLLECTIVELY. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND OLDER PEOPLE IS ONE POINT OF IMBALANCE IN SOCIAL INTERACTION. LAWS RELATED TO ECONOMICS (HOUSING, AGE DISCRIMINATION, INCOME, CONSUMER PROBLEMS) AND TO HEALTH (MEDICARE/MEDICAID, PROTECTIVE SERVICES, NURSING HOMES) OFFER EVIDENCE OF THE SOCIAL VICTIMIZATION OF OLDER PEOPLE. THE JUSTICE SYSTEM'S FAILURE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY STEMS FROM THE FACTS THAT THE LAWS THEMSELVES ARE PROBLEMATIC AND/OR NOT ENFORCED, AND THAT OLDER PEOPLE LACK LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND THEREFORE ACCESS TO THE COURTS. THE SOCIAL EXCHANGE MODEL PROVIDES A FRAMEWORK FOR EXPLAINING THESE INEQUITIES AND FOR DEVELOPING STRATEGIES FOR RECTIFYING THEM.