Era of Increased Violence in the United States - Age, Period, or Cohort Effect?

• NCJ Number: 101974
• Journal: Sociological Quarterly Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: (1986) Pages: 239-251
• Author(s): M D Smith
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

An age/period/cohort analysis is conducted for homicide rates during the years 1952-1976, a period during which the rates of violent crimes escalated substantially in U.S. society.

Abstract

This increase is shown to be most effectively conceptualized as a cohort phenomenon, although the effects of age are also evident. Youth cohorts of the early 1960's display substantially higher rates of homicide than previous youth cohorts and tend to maintain those relatively higher rates through their life cycle. Explanations of this finding are explored via economic factors, for which some empirical substantiation is provided. (Author abstract)