Taking Account of Crime - Research Paper Example

Introduction Over the past few decades, with the increased number of incidents of criminal acts being reported, one of the major segments of the society that seems to have been influenced by these reports is the elderly. This paper has an objective to discuss in detail, the influence of the rise in crime and also the increased publicity that it is getting, on the elderly people. This enquiry will try to find out whether the elderly people, as a social group, suffer from a greater fear of crime than other age groups and if so, whether this phenomenon has any connection with the increase in actual crime rates and the fact that they are being reported more. Research Questions The questions that this research would try to address will be: 1) Do the elderly people, as a social group, suffer more from fear of crime than other age groups in the society? 2) If the elderly people suffer more from fear of crime, compared to other age groups, is it because of the increased crime rate in the society as a whole? 3) If the elderly people suffer more from fear of crime, compared to other age groups, is it because more crimes are being reported to the public by different media? 4) If the elderly people suffer more from fear of crime, compared to other age groups, is it because a greater percentage of crimes happening in the society are committed against elderly people? 5) If the elderly people suffer more from fear of crime, compared to other age groups, is it caused only by a single factor, namely, the increased crime rate in the society ? 6) If the elderly people suffer more from fear of crime, compared to other age groups, is it caused by some other factors also apart from the increased crime rate in the society? 7) Finally, if the elderly people suffer more from fear of crime, compared to other age groups, which are the major and minor factors causing that? Review of Literature There have been a number of reports in different media suggesting that in many incidents of crime, the victims has had a common factor, them being members of the social group of the elderly people (Casciani, 2003; Ferraro, 1995). Here, what we exactly mean by the word elderly is the people who belong to the age group of 60 years and above (Bureau of Elder and Adult Services Policy Manual, 1997). Fear of crime is defined as “an emotional response of dread or anxiety to crime or symbols that a person associates with crime,” by Ferraro (1995, 8), while, Snell (2001,18) has defined this concept as “judgement of personal safety in the neighbourhood.” Elchardus, De Groof and Smits (2005) have argued that there are two major patterns in the way humans feel fear of crime. These are a rationalistic view and a symbolic view (De Groof and Smits, 2005). Donder, Verte, & Messelis (2005, 363-376) have further explained that, “the rationalistic paradigm interprets fear as a consequence of risk and vulnerability with regard to crime and victimization”. The symbolic paradigm is an interpretation of fear of crime as a “consequence of more general feelings of vulnerability and dissatisfaction that become feelings of being threatened of crime and victimization” (Donder, Verte, & Messelis, 2005). Over the years, authors like Baumer and Skogan and Maxfield (2005) have also tried to define this phenomenon and concluded that fear of crime can be divided into three main factors. These include: a) The impact of demographic variables like the physical aspects and the social aspects, b) the neighbourhood which has an impact on the feeling of being threatened, and c) a major influence from the information received from victims of crime and also from acquaintances. (This could be from any media). ( as quoted by Donder, Verte, & Messelis, 2005) A few elderly people who ventured out into the street recently were reported to have been subjected to verbal abuse and muggings (Casciani, 2003).The case of Catherine Wrenn, an 84-year old lady, who was mugged for a sum of £13, and was killed in the event was reported by the media and it has been observed that cases like these have led elderly people to have a disproportionate fear of getting victimized (Casciani, 2003). Quoting a leading charity, BBC had also reported that “elderly people were allowing themselves to become prisoners in their own homes” out of this fear (Casciani, 2003). One adverse condition that comes along with age, is physical weakness and physical vulnerability and it has been concluded by Donder, Verte, & Messelis (2005, 363-376) that this factor correlates very crucially with fear of crime. Another aspect of aging as a social phenomenon is that the retirement from routine work when a person grows old, results in lowering of income and according to Donder, Verte, & Messelis (2005, 363-376), a lower income will increase the fear of crime. Hough and Mayhew (1985, 40-41) have also maintained that the elderly people are reported to have a comparatively higher level of fear of crime even though they have low levels of victimization. There have been a number of another studies also in this area and as explained by Donder, Verte, & Messelis (2005), “much research regarding elderly people and their fear of crime concerns the confirmation or the negation of this paradox and the search for explanations for this ‘irrational’ fear” in case the theory is confirmed. Researchers like Ziegler and Mitchell (2003; as quoted by Donder, Verte, & Messelis, 2005) have also concluded that the elderly people tend to experience higher levels of fear than the younger. As explained by Donder, Verte, & Messelis (2005) other researchers (Fattah, 1993; Fattah and Sacco, 1989; Killias and Clerici, 2000; Pantazis, 2000) have also reported that older people have higher levels of fear of crime than younger people. But Dammert and Malone (2003; as quoted by Donder, Verte, & Messelis, 2005) find no difference between elderly and young people regarding the fear of crime that they experience. Some other researchers (Chadee and Ditton, 2003; Kanan and Pruitt, 2002; Opdebeeck, Vandenberk, and Lammertyn, 1998) even reported that elderly people show fewer signs of fear of crime than their younger cohort” (as quoted by Donder, Verte, & Messelis, 2005). Also, Hale (1996; as quoted by Donder, Verte, & Messelis, 2005) explains that the fear of crime grows with age. A survey report published by BBC with a sample size of four thousand elderly people had showed that people of the age 75 and above were even scared to leave the home after dark as they were worried about being verbally abused or even mugged (Casciani, 2003). The study also found out that that almost two thirds of the respondents believed that they would be victims of crime as they grow old, while about one fifth of them also felt that the fear of crime led to loneliness and isolation (Casciani, 2003).. Currently the country has an aging population and the national statistics has showed that the percentage of people who are aged 65 and above will rise from 16% in 2008 to a whopping 23% in 2033 (National Statistics, 2009). A major section of the society will thus fall into this bracket and hence it is important to ensure that the country is a safe place for everyone to live in and there is no discrimination or harassment that the elderly have to face. Research Methodology This research has been developed on the concept of S.M.A.R.T. i.e. Systematic, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-Bound. The research aims at adding value to the area of study. A combination of survey research and secondary data analysis will constitute the methodology for this research. Research Design and Sample For this research, data will be collected from two types of sources, which are primary and secondary (Sekaran, 2000, p. 221). This method is referred to as triangulation of the data where the data is collected from different sources at different times of to give the study the advantage of comparison of two sets of data on the same subject (Collis & Hussey, 2003, p. 78). Primary data is information gathered from direct observation, conducting interviews, surveys, and questionnaires, from different sections of the society including focus groups, individuals, and also a group of respondents who may have valid opinions on the research in question and who are willing to contribute from time to time (Sekaran, 2000, p. 221). Secondary data on the other hand refers to information published by others and which is already available (Collis & Hussey, 2003, pp. 53-54). It is also data collected by other people rather than the researcher who is carrying out the study (Sekaran, 2000, p. 255). Secondary data is information available from books, journals and online resources(Sekaran, 2000, p. 255). In this study, the primary data collection will be through the method of survey research. The sample chosen for the study will be a stratified random sample of 30 people above the age of 60. The names will be randomly selected from the demographic database available with the government authorities. But the sample will have equal numbers of men and women. These people will be asked to respond to a set of 10 statements. Each statement will have four choices given as possible responses which will indicate to what degree the respondent agree or disagree with these statements. The survey research approach used in the study is based on the positivistic paradigm, where the emphasis is on using measurement to find out the relationships between facts and causes of the phenomenon (Collis & Hussey, 2003, p. 57). This approach is useful when there is a need to conduct statistical analysis (Collis & Hussey, 2003, p. 56). Working within the positivistic paradigm will assist in measuring the data and the correlation between the variables, and the quantitative research outcome could be measured against existing theory. Another approach, namely, the phenomenological approach where the focus is on “understanding the human behaviour from the participant’s own frame of reference” (Collis & Hussey, 2003, p. 53) will also be clubbed with this positivistic paradigm, so that a secondary data analysis can be conducted. The case of Catherine Wrenn, an 84-year old lady, who was mugged for a sum of £13, and killed, will be studied as part of this by conducting interview with witnesses in that case, journalists who reported it and also friends and relatives of Catharine Wrenn (Casciani, 2003). This will constitute the secondary data analysis for this study. As this approach is related to an event within a context of time and place, the aim is to investigate an event by carrying out your own research to develop a theory based on the phenomenon (Collis & Hussey, 2003, pp. 56-57) or use existing theory. The aim and focus with this approach is to attain a deep insight into the information and data and to gain good quality of research (Collis & Hussey, 2003, pp. 56-57). This phenomenological paradigm helps the researcher to “get a feel for the key issues” and provides “confidence” in the accuracy and depth of the data collected as the main issues have been covered (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2000, p. 98). Using both methods will help ensure that the research outcome is accurate and this allows higher level of confidence and reliability on the conclusions of the study (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2000, p. 99). It also reduces the probability of incorrect answers and analysis through the method of triangulation (Saunders, Lewis & Thornhill, 2000, p. 100). The dependent variables in this survey will be fear of crime and the independent variables will be age, crime rates and publicity given to crimes through media. The attempt will be to find out how fear of crime varies with age, crime rates in the society and also the publicity given to crimes through different media. The rating system used in the survey will provide information on to what extent the elderly people believe that their fear of crime is related to the independent variables listed above, by giving options for the respondents to strongly agree, agree, disagree or strongly disagree with each statement in the survey questionnaire. References Berry, R. (2004). The Research Project. New York: Routledge. Bureau of Elder and Adult Services Policy Manual. (November 1, 1997) Definitions, Ch.5, Section1, 10-149, Retrieved August 11, 2010 from www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/10/149/149c5-1.doc Casciani, D. (2003, May 20). Fear of crime trapping elderly. Retrieved July 5, 2010, from BBC.co.uk: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3044625.stm Collis, J., & Hussey, R. (2003). Business Research: A practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. London: Macmillan Press Ltd. Donder, L. D., Verte, D., & Messelis, E. (2005). Fear Of Crime And Elderly People: Key Factors That Determine Fear Of Crime Among Elderly People In West Flanders. Ageing International , 363-376. Elchardus, M., De Groof. S. and Smits, W., "Rational representation of collective fear or discomfort. A comparison of two paradigms to explain feelings of insecurity, "Man and Society 2005, (1), 48-69. Ferraro, K.F. (1995) Fear of crime: Interpreting victimization risk. New York. SUNY Press. Hough, J.M. and Mayhew, P. (1985) Taking account of crime: key findings from the second British crime survey. London: H.M.S.O. National Statistics. (2009, October 21). UK population to exceed 65m by 2018. Retrieved July 5, 2010, from National Projections: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=1352 Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2000). Research Methods for Business Students. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. Sekaran, U. (2000). Research Methods for Business, A Skill-Building Approach. New York: John Wiley & Sons Inc. Snell, C. (2001) Neighborhood structure, crime, and fear of crime: testing Bursik and Grasmicks neighborhood control theory. Texas: LFB Scholarly Publishing LLC. Read More