Not Afraid at All? Dominant and Alternative Interpretative Repertoires in Discourses of the Elderly on Fear of Crime

• NCJ Number: 243169
• Journal: Journal of Scandinavian Studies in Criminology and Crime Prevention Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: 2012 Pages: 166-180
• Author(s): Anna Rypi
• Date Published: 2012
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This article discusses elderly people's fear of crime.

Abstract

This article demonstrates how a dominant and an alternative interpretative repertoire are activated and negotiated within two focus group discussions conducted with elderly people around the issue of fear of crime: the active, competent actor and the potential victim. In contrast to quantitative generalist studies that tend to neglect the ambiguity and complexity of group membership and identification, a contextualized, dynamic, and interactive understanding of the elderly - as well as of the victim - identity is presented. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.