1. 1 Age and Crime

2. 2 Age Across cultures and history, crime is a youthful behaviorAcross cultures and history, crime is a youthful behavior All three measures of crime in the U.S. support thisAll three measures of crime in the U.S. support this Age is inversely related to crime, regardless of social class, marital status, race or genderAge is inversely related to crime, regardless of social class, marital status, race or gender Young are arrested disproportionatelyYoung are arrested disproportionately

3. 3 Age (continued) Rate has remained the same for at least 40 yearsRate has remained the same for at least 40 years 15-18 year olds account for 6% of the total population, but account for 25% of index crimes and 15% of all offenses15-18 year olds account for 6% of the total population, but account for 25% of index crimes and 15% of all offenses Crime is most common in the teens and twenties and then declinesCrime is most common in the teens and twenties and then declines

4. 4 Age (continued) People 45 and older account for 30% of the population, but 6% of index crimes. Over 65 account for 12% of the population but < 1% of index crimesPeople 45 and older account for 30% of the population, but 6% of index crimes. Over 65 account for 12% of the population but < 1% of index crimes SubtypesSubtypes 1. early onset, career criminals, high rate of offending which persists1. early onset, career criminals, high rate of offending which persists

5. 5 Subtypes 2. High risk, low-profit crimes tend to decline with age2. High risk, low-profit crimes tend to decline with age 3. Low risk, high profit crimes do not decline with age, and may increase (embezzlement, fraud, drug dealing)3. Low risk, high profit crimes do not decline with age, and may increase (embezzlement, fraud, drug dealing) 4. For most of the population, crime decreases with age: desistance4. For most of the population, crime decreases with age: desistance

6. 6 Explanations More adventurousMore adventurous In modern society, more likely to be unemployed, more idle timeIn modern society, more likely to be unemployed, more idle time Cognitive changes occur in late teens, such as the abiity to develop a long- term view of life, resist need for immediate gratificationCognitive changes occur in late teens, such as the abiity to develop a long- term view of life, resist need for immediate gratification

7. 7 Explanations Function of the natural history of human life cycle,Function of the natural history of human life cycle, establishing independence from parents, establishing independence from parents, bonding with peers.bonding with peers. With age, person has family and work, and becomes part of the adult world, which does not encourage crime With age, person has family and work, and becomes part of the adult world, which does not encourage crime

8. 8 Explanations Young are less skilled in crime and thus more likely to get caughtYoung are less skilled in crime and thus more likely to get caught Biological: as people age, the lost strength and energy, begin to “low down” and must compete with younger criminals.Biological: as people age, the lost strength and energy, begin to “low down” and must compete with younger criminals.

9. 9 Developmental Criminology History of a criminal careerHistory of a criminal career Study of activation, maintenance, escalation, and desistance of criminal activityStudy of activation, maintenance, escalation, and desistance of criminal activity Sheldon and Eleanor GlueckSheldon and Eleanor Glueck Wolfgang’s study of 10,000 boys born in Philadelphia in 1945Wolfgang’s study of 10,000 boys born in Philadelphia in 1945

10. 10 Wolfgang’s study By age 18, 1/3 had an arrestBy age 18, 1/3 had an arrest 46% never rearrested46% never rearrested 6% had 4 or more arrests, accounted for 70-80% of all serious crimes committed by the entire group6% had 4 or more arrests, accounted for 70-80% of all serious crimes committed by the entire group Cohort then followed to age 30Cohort then followed to age 30 Subjects with no juvenile record had an 18% chance of arrest as an adultSubjects with no juvenile record had an 18% chance of arrest as an adult

11. 11 Wolfgang (continued) Persistent (chronic) offendersPersistent (chronic) offenders 80% chance of becoming an adult offender80% chance of becoming an adult offender 50% chance of being arrested 4 or more times as an adult, accounted for 80% of all serious crimes50% chance of being arrested 4 or more times as an adult, accounted for 80% of all serious crimes Problems in learning and motor skills and family relations early onProblems in learning and motor skills and family relations early on

12. 12 Other findings Youthful offenders 4 times more likely to continue offending as adultsYouthful offenders 4 times more likely to continue offending as adults More likely to:More likely to: abuse alcohol and drugs, abuse alcohol and drugs, be economically dependent, be economically dependent, to have weak employment records to have weak employment records marital difficultiesmarital difficulties

13. 13 Other findings Second cohort studies (1958)Second cohort studies (1958) Replicated 1st study, overall crime rate was higherReplicated 1st study, overall crime rate was higher England and Sweden have such studies with similar resultsEngland and Sweden have such studies with similar results Punishment inversely related to chronic offending: the stricter, themore likely repeated criminal behaviorPunishment inversely related to chronic offending: the stricter, themore likely repeated criminal behavior