AGE, CLASS AND

CRIME
MR. NICK
AGE AND CRIME

• In Western culture (and most societies), crimes are committed by young

people much more than old people
Facts:
1) Elderly people (over 65) commit very few crimes, less than 15% of
total crime
2) Adolescents age 15-25 commit the most crimes in society
 WHY DO ADOLESCENTS COMMIT MORE
CRIMES?
1) Some crimes they commit are trying things that are legal for adults too (smoking, drinking)… these
are called status offences
2) Delinquency is part of being adolescent (adolescents often experiment with bad behavior as part of
their identity formation)… essentially, part of being an adolescent is testing your limits in society
3) Sub-cultures: many sub-cultures promote delinquent and criminal behavior such as drug use. It is
common for teens to join these sub-cultures.
4) Labelling theory: Since adolescents are known to commit these crimes, the police often target them
5) The media: The media reports on youth crime more, and they build a moral panic (meaning they
make people afraid and angry about youth crime, which promotes more labelling)
SIDE-NOTE

• When answering questions, use your knowledge in creative ways

• QUESTION: Explain why adolescents commit more crimes than any other age group? [8]

• One of my paragraphs could argue:

The youth may not actually commit more crimes, but they are definitely convicted of more crimes
because of the media creating moral panic and labelling. When the media focuses on youth crime more it
makes it appear like young people are all rebellious criminals. This causes them to be labelled by police.
Once police label them, they will focus more on catching youth criminals while ignoring other groups like
the elderly who have positive labels.
ACTIVITY

• In groups, do research for the question

1) Explain why the working class commits more crimes than other social classes. [8]

• Find 4 arguments that could answer this question (1 for each paragraph needed)
• Research- read page 199-200 to get the basic ideas
• Research 2- read page 175-176 to review material and cultural influences that affect
working class people, apply that knowledge to crime instead of education
TOPICS YOU CAME UP WITH (NEWTON)

1) Relative deprivation- jealousy + capitalist values

2) Labelling-targeting
3) Lawyers- access to good lawyers (public defenders)
4) Crimes of necessity
TOPICS YOU CAME UP WITH (JN)

1) Socialization- immediate vs deferred/delayed gratification

2) Cultural deprivation- role modelling (or lack of role models)
3) Domestic violence- more anger, revenge, taught violence solves issues
4) Lack of support- mental health support- turn to drugs/can’t solve
issues
5) Rebellion- society is oppressing them
TOPICS I MAY USE

1) Working class have worse education

2) Working class suffer from material deprivation
3) Working class suffer from relative deprivation (jealousy)
4) Working class are socialized to focus on immediate gratification
5) Working class are labelled
6) Working class are exploited/oppressed, which leads them to rebel against society
7) They may not actually commit more crimes, but it appears so because middle
class and upper-class crimes are not reported (dark figures)
HOMEWORK

• Due Friday 11:30pm in PDF format on the portal

1) Explain why the working class commits more crimes than other
social classes. [8]