NCJ Number
187018
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 15 Issue: 3 Dated: Fall 2000 Pages: 323-336
Editor(s)
Roland D. Maiuro Ph.D.
Date Published
2000
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article looks at previous studies that consistently show women manifesting higher levels of fear than men when fear of crime is measured and a new study that argues that a woman’s fear of crime might be the result of traditional family gender roles.
Abstract
A number of explanations have been suggested in the literature for the finding that women consistently report higher levels of fear of crime than males. The “shadow” theory argues that fear of crime among women reflects fear of sexual assault. The “intimate” theory argues that women’s fear of crime is the result of exposure to intimate violence. Women’s fear of crime is expected to be explained by their fear of partners’ violence. When asked, women might express fear not only for their own well-being but for that of their children. A survey of a representative sample of women in the third largest city in Israel was used to test this assumption. Women’s fear of crime was found to be affected by fear of sexual assault and fear of violent partners. In addition, consistent with the argument of this study, women’s fear of violent and sexual victimization of their children had a significant effect on their perception of fear. Women expressed greater fear of violent victimization by strangers than by intimates. This research expands previous studies and shows not only that women perceive themselves to be in danger at the hands of strange men but also that their fear is influenced by their fear for their children’s well-being. The findings of this study suggest that traditional family roles influence fear perceptions among women in such a way as to include family members. Further research is suggested. Notes and references