Older people and fear of crime : towards an understanding of the roles of social networks and the impact of the media

Kearon, AT

Abstract

This thesis will examine a range of contemporary debates around the possible
causes and impact of fear of crime'. It will also critically examine the manner in
which the extent of the fear of crime 'problem' has been measured by a range of
survey based approaches. Using a range of recent critical literature which has
problematised many of the assumptions which underpin the fear of crime debate,
this thesis will propose a new approach to understanding the potential impact of
fear of crime on the 'everyday life' of individuals. Employing an in-depth
ethnography of a group of older adults (one of the sections of the population
routinely identified as most 'fearful'), this thesis will argue that organised social
networks and a range of other formal and informal activities provide a potentially
effective means of minimising the impact of fear of crime on the lives of older
adults. It will also argue that the media, often identified as a significant 'cause' of
fear of crime, are engaged with in a much more complex fashion by this group
than traditional theories which posit a causal link between the media and fear of
crime would suggest.

Citation

Kearon, A. Older people and fear of crime : towards an understanding of the roles of social networks and the impact of the media. (Thesis). Salford : University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2012
• Award Date: Jan 1, 2001