Crime, Race and Culture - A Study in a Developing Country

• NCJ Number: 87413
• Author(s): H Jones
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 196 pages
• Sale Source: John Wiley and Sons
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This book examines whether differences in criminality exist among racial groups in Guyana and if so whether they can be attributed to the cultural differences between the racial groups.

Abstract

East Indian and African racial groups are the largest in Guyana, with other racial groups categorized as 'other' for the purposes of the research. Data were obtained on factors which research has shown to be associated with crime, namely, factors connected with the quality of family life in the offender's family of origin, age, area of residence, religion, education, marital and home circumstances, employment record, gambling or drinking habits, circumstances of the offense, and previous criminal record. Data on crime were obtained from police data on reported crimes and convictions and interviews with inmates. Data indicate that although East Indians are relatively more prone to commit violent crimes, Africans commit more crimes in total. Africans have earlier starts in their criminal careers and are more likely to recidivate than Indians. Broad differences in criminality between the two ethnic groups are paralleled by differences between their cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Indians are under strong pressure to accept traditional values of conformity and respect for authority as well as suppression of aggressive tendencies (which may contribute to explosive violent behavior). The family is at the heart of Indian culture. African family life, on the other hand, is scarred by its slave history, is emotionally deprived, unstable, marked by the frequent absence of any permanent father figure, and characterized by the serial mating by parents. Behavior and role models are characterized by a short-run hedonism. Unemployment is particularly high among the Africans. The historical roots of these cultural diferences are examined, and policies that may reshape destructive cultural influences are discussed. About 160 references, tabular data, and a subject index are provided.