NCJ Number
26827
Editor(s)
C WARD
Date Published
1973
Length
327 pages
Annotation
A COLLECTION OF ARTICLES EXAMINING VANDALISM, WITH EMPHASIS ON RELATED PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIOLOGICAL, ECONOMIC, AND ARCHITECTURAL CONSIDERATIONS, DRAWING UPON BRITISH AND AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.
Abstract
INITIALLY, AN ATTEMPT IS MADE TO GO BEYOND THE CONCEPT OF VANDALISM AS 'MEANINGLESS' VIOLENCE. VANDALISM IS SHOWN TO HAVE BOTH EXPRESSIVE AND INSTRUMENTAL VALUE. IT CAN BE A FORM OF SOCIAL PROTEST, A REACTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULI, OR EVEN AN ATTEMPT TO ASSERT ONE'S MASCULINITY. PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER ARE EXAMINED. THE AUTHORS SHOW HOW DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS CAN MINIMIZE THE IMPETUS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR VANDALISM, AS WELL AS ITS CONSEQUENCES. LEGITIMIZED VANDALISM IS SEEN IN THE EXAMPLES SET BY MOTORISTS, INDUSTRY, GOVERNMENT, AND OTHERS WHO NON-CRIMINALLY DAMAGE THE ENVIRONMENT. FINALLY, SOLUTIONS ARE PROPOSED, SUCH AS DEFLECTION OF THE BEHAVIOR TO OTHER LESS HARMFUL, OR CONSTRUCTIVE ALTERNATIVES, LEGISLATION, COMMUNITY ACTION AND EDUCATION, IMPROVED PROTECTION AND DETECTION METHODS, AND PUNITIVE DETERRENCE METHODS ARE ALSO EXPLORED. NUMEROUS PHOTOGRAPHS AND DIAGRAMS ARE EMPLOYED THROUGHOUT.