Age Structure of Society:   

Powerful Influence on the Crime Rate

13-17 year olds make up 6% of the population but 30% of index crime arrests  

·        Property crime arrests peak at age 16

·        Violent crime arrests peak at age 18

·        Correlates of Crime – Why do crime rates drop with aging

Cognitive changes in late teens

·        Declining need for immediate gratification

·        Fear of punishment

·       Adulthood brings powerful ties to conventional society 

Correlates of Crime –  Gender 

·        Male crime rate higher than female

·        Males commit more serious crimes 

·        Socialization of females (supervised closely)

·       Changing social and economic role of women