Socialization to Violence Among the Aged

• NCJ Number: 90069
• Journal: Journal of Gerontology Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: (May 1981) Pages: 350-361
• Author(s): J J Dowd; R P Sisson; D M Kern
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 12 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper addresses the issue of the attitudinal consequences of fear and victimization by focusing on the degree to which people of different ages express approval of violent behavior. It argues that the experience of victimization socializes the individual to a view of violence as constituting an effective strategy for resolving interpersonal conflict.

Abstract

Data from a national sample of the noninstitutionalized adult population of the United States support this argument, at least for respondents under 60. Older people are less likely to be victims of crime than younger persons, more likely to report fear of crime, and more disapproving of violent behavior. Older victims, however, do not evidence the same attitudinal response as younger victims. Younger victims are generally less disapproving of violence than youthful nonvictims; the difference between older victims and nonvictims, however, is in the opposite direction. This finding is explained as a specific instance of the lesser impact across the life cycle of period effects on attitudes. Four tables and about 30 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)