A Study on the Relationship between Population Structure and Safety in Local Community

Abstract

This study examines the relationships between population structure and safety in local community in the view of social disorganization theory. Little is known about how demographic structural changes in local communities impact its social stability including crime safety. The findings show as follow. First, both family disorganization and ethnic diversification at the local community could increase social disorder by weakening social network among residents of local communities which is believed as the foundation of the collective control. Second, aging in the local community was found to be positively related to community safety since such demographic structure may increase social control in the local community. Lastly, political participation such as turnout in local election had a positive effect on community safety. This study suggests that collective efficacy can increase social stability in the local community facing demographic structural changes such as aging, ethnic diversification and family disorganization.