Fear of Crime

Fear of Crime in the United States

Fear of Crime in relation to Crime and Race

Fear of Crime is included in the Encyclopedia of Race and Crime (1), beginning with: Definitional ambiguity regarding fear of crime is pervasive; however, most researchers relate it to being afraid of becoming a victim of crime when frequenting public areas. Fear of crime gained national recognition in the 1960s as a viable topic of social research when it was identified as a pervasive social problem whose impact was detrimental to the structure of civilized society. Long acknowledged as a public malady, it is believed to result in communities characterized by loss of solidarity and communal spirit. Communities overcome by fear of crime are places where individuals isolate themselves from one another and no longer live as the social animals they are. Left unchecked, fear of crime can result in people becoming suspicious of one another such that they willingly give up freedom and support for democracy. [1]

The Relationship between Crime and Fear of Crime

Consequences of Fear of Crime

Psychological Consequences

Resources

Notes and References

  1. Entry about Fear of Crime in the Encyclopedia of Race and Crime

See Also

Further Reading

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2 responses to “Fear of Crime”

  1. International Avatar
    International

    Fear of crime should not be the sole focus of studies but instead should be one of a three-pronged approach to studying the larger concept of the “threat of victimization” (which includes fear of crime, perceived risk, and constrained behaviors). In other words, individuals manage the threat of victimization not only with emotion (fear of crime) but also with cognition (perceived risk) and behavior (constrained behaviors).

  2. International Avatar
    International

    (Vulnerability)

    In many jurisdictions, older people were much more afraid of crime than younger people. Older people, though less likely to be victims of crime, felt they were vulnerable to crime because of their changing health and body conditions.

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