EMBARRASSING PROBLEM OF ELDERLY CRIMINALS (FROM CONFERENCE ON CORRECTIONS, 1978, BY VERNON FOX SEE NCJ-59701)

• NCJ Number: 59710
• Author(s): A A MALINCHAK
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Ctr for Professional Development and Public Service; Florida State University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DISENGAGEMENT AND ACTIVITY THEORIES ARE APPLIED TO THE ANALYSIS OF ELDERLY CRIMINALS, AND CAUSES OF CRIME COMMITTED BY THE ELDERLY ARE ASSESSED.

Abstract

BOTH DISENGAGEMENT AND ACTIVITY THEORIES ARE BASED ON GERONTOLOGICAL CONCEPTS. DISENGAGEMENT THEORY PURPORTS EXACTLY WHAT ITS TITLE IMPLIES, DISENGAGEMENT FROM SOCIETY. ELDERLY WHO WERE ONCE PRODUCTIVE BECOME UNPRODUCTIVE WITH ADVANCING AGE AND ARE, THEREFORE, A HINDRANCE TO SOCIETY IN GENERAL AND TO THE WORKING FORCE IN PARTICULAR. DISENGAGEMENT EXTENDS INTO ALL FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF LIVING. ACTIVITY THEORY BASICALLY REPRESENTS A CRITICAL RESPONSE TO THE THEORY OF DISENGAGEMENT AND IS ALMOST ENTIRELY ITS OPPOSITE. ACTIVITY THEORISTS CLAIM THAT THE ELDERLY MUST REMAIN ACTIVE AND THAT ACTIVITY ENHANCES AN ELDERLY PERSON'S SELF-CONCEPT AND MAKES THAT PERSON'S LIFE MORE FULFILLING. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE ELDERLY CAN SUBSTITUTE FUNCTIONAL ROLES IN SOCIETY WITH ACTIVITY THROUGH INVOLVEMENT. REASONS FOR THE INCREASE IN CRIME AMONG THE ELDERLY, PARTICULARLY SHOPLIFTING AND OTHER MISDEMEANOR CRIMES, ARE THE ELDERLY'S DEPENDENCE ON SOCIETY AND LOSS OF FUNCTIONAL ROLES IN SOCIETY. THESE FACTORS ARE RELATED TO THEIR LOW INCOME. SOCIETY CAN PREVENT FURTHER ELDERLY CRIMINALIZATION BY IMPROVING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS, ABOLISHING MANDATORY RETIREMENT, AND MAKING AN EFFORT TO ELIMINATE POVERTY AND FRUSTRATIONS EXPERIENCED BY THE ELDERLY. REFERENCES ARE CITED. (DEP)