Leisure and Crime

Research Paper # 100532

Criminology > Public and Crime
Psychology > Behaviorism
Sociology > Theory

Leisure and Crime

This paper discusses the connections between leisure activities and criminal behavior.

1,600 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer relates that the literature studied indicates that leisure activities and crime are related in a number of complex, meaningful ways. The writer notes that this relationship has been explored by a number of researchers over the past decades, generally with similar findings. The writer points out that many researchers hypothesize that household leisure activities are negatively related to criminal behavior, whereas non-household leisure activities are often positively related to crime. The writer maintains that although general trends have been established, however, based on similar theorizing, the literature indicates that the relationship is not standard and is affected by variables including type of leisure activity, gender, age, time of the day, leisure setting and other demographics. These issues are explored in detail in the paper.

Outline:
Introduction
Messner & Blau's Theory of Leisure Behavior and Crime
Messner & Blau's Study Methods
Messner & Blau's Results
Other Literature Review
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The results of Messner and Blau's study, based on ordinary least-square regressions, revealed that the introduction of leisure activities into the SMSA crime rate model demonstrated significant results, particularly concerning rape, robbery, burglary and larceny. In accordance with previous studies, Messner and Blau found that household activities were negatively related to most of the crimes. The control variables also reiterated that of previous studies - poverty was found to have a significantly positive relationship with crime, racial composition was significant and males tended to be particularly associated with crimes such as homicide and rape. Regional affects regarding robbery and auto crimes were discovered (being lower in volume in southern SMSAs) and, in accordance with only some literature, the high risk 18-24 age bracket was negative for homicide, robbery and assault. Against expectations, daytime television viewing provided stronger results than nighttime data, thought to be attributed to the type of lifestyles daytime television viewing may promote - that is, programs more relevant to criminal opportunities than those offered at prime-time hours."

Sample of Sources Used:

Cartwright, Barry. (2006). Introduction to Criminology. Criminology 101-3 - Study Guide. Canada: Simon Fraser University.
Cohen, Lawrence E. & Felson, Marcus. (1979). Social Change and Crime Trends: A Routine Activity Approach. American Sociological Review, 44, 588-608.
Messner, Steven F. & Blau, Judith R. (1987). Routine Leisure Activities and Rates of Crime: A Macro-Level Analysis. Social Forces, 65, 4, 1035-1052.
Sacco, V.G. & Kennedy, L.W. (2002). The Criminal Event: An Introduction to Criminology in Canada (3rd ed.). Toronto: Thomas Nelson.