PATTERNS OF CRIME IN A RURAL SOUTH DAKOTA COUNTY

• NCJ Number: 59606
• Journal: Rural Sociology Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (JUNE 1942) Pages: 175-185
• Author(s): J USEEM; M WALDNER
• Date Published: 1942
• Length: 11 pages
• Corporate Author: Texas A&M University
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE PATTERNS OF CRIME IN THE RURAL AREA OF HUTCHINSON COUNTY, S.D., A COUNTY RELATIVELY UNTOUCHED BY URBANIZATION, ARE STUDIED.

Abstract

COMPARATIVELY LITTLE IS KNOWN ABOUT THE DYNAMIC FACTORS PRODUCING CRIME IN RURAL SOCIETY, AND PREVIOUS RESEARCH HAS BEEN CONFINED LARGELY TO THE COMPARISON OF RURAL WITH URBAN CRIME RATES. A SURVEY OF OFFENDERS DURING THE PAST 50 YEARS IN HUTCHINSON COUNTY REVEALS THAT CRIME IN A RURAL SOCIETY REQUIRES ANALYSIS IN THE CONTEXT OF RURAL LIFE RATHER THAN MERELY COMPARISON WITH URBAN PATTERNS. THE HIGH INCIDENCE OF CRIMINALITY AMONG TOWN PEOPLE, CERTAIN ETHNIC GROUPINGS, THE DIVORCED AND UNMARRIED, AND THE YOUNG, AND THE FACT THAT DELINQUENCY IS GROWING IN EXCESS OF POPULATION INCREASE REFLECT THE ROLES WHICH MEMBERS OF THESE STRATA OCCUPY IN THE LOCAL SOCIAL ORDER. COMMUNITIES HAVE LITTLE INSIGHT INTO THE FACTORS PRODUCING CRIMINALITY AND REGARD EACH DELINQUENT AS A CASE OF PERSONAL DEMORALIZATION. THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IS ATTUNED TO PUNISHMENT RATHER THAN TO PREVENTION OR REHABILITATION. MISCONDUCT IS LARGELY A PRODUCT OF THE CLASH BETWEEN THE PRESCRIBED NORMS OF CONDUCT AND THE INABILITY OF VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE POPULATION TO FULFILL THEM. THUS, THE HIGH PROPORTION OF OFFENSES AGAINST THE PUBLIC IS THE RESULT OF CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE MORES OF LOCAL ETHNIC GROUPS (MENNONITES, THE GERMAN-RUSSIANS, THE GERMAN-CATHOLICS, AND THE HUTTERISCHEN-MENNONITES) AND THE CODES ASCRIBED BY THE STATE. SIMILARLY, THE GROWTH OF DELINQUENCY IN CERTAIN STRATA OF THE POPULATION CAN BE TRACED TO THE CLEAVAGE BETWEEN THE TRADITIONAL VALUES OF THE ADULTS WHO CONTROL THE COMMUNITIES AND THE MORE SECULAR WAYS OF SUCH GROUPS OF YOUTH. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT IF CRIMINALITY IN THIS LOCALITY HAD BEEN STUDIED IN THE TRADITIONAL STYLE OF COMPARING THE RATES WITH THOSE OF URBAN AREAS, LITTLE WOULD HAVE BEEN REVEALED ABOUT THE DYNAMIC FACTORS PRODUCING DELINQUENCY IN THIS RURAL AREA. TABLES SUPPLEMENT THE TEXT. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)