Pulling us apart? The association between fear of crime and social cohesion in South Africa

Benjamin J Roberts,Steven L Gordon

doi:10.17159/2413-3108/2016/v0i55a390

Benjamin J Roberts, Steven L Gordon

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3108/2016/v0i55a390

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Abstract

Fear of crime, like crime itself, is thought to be a factor that constrains efforts by government and non-state actors at promoting socially cohesive communities and a caring society. As concern over South Africa's social fabric have mounted, increasing policy attention has been directed at perceptions of safety and nation-building. In this study, we use nationally representative survey data to examine recent theoretical models on the link between fear of crime and social cohesion within communities. The results do not offer strong support for the hypothesis that higher fear of crime is associated with lower levels of social trust, neighbouthood ties and civic cohesion, although fear does have a moderate, adverse influence on attitudes towards law enforcement.

Highlights

The concept of ‘fear of crime’ has been the subject of substantive international interest and debate since the 1960s.1 This attention was motivated by the recognition that it is a salient social problem in its own right, with a notable share of citizens across many countries expressing worry about crime.2 It further reflects concern with the complex and detrimental effects that fear of criminal violence imparts on quality of life at individual, community and societal levels
While crime represents a central variable in social disorganisation theory and is referred to in places throughout this article, our research primarily focuses on fear of crime rather than the occurrence of crime in examining associations with social cohesion
The measures are phrased as follows: (1) ‘Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted, or that you cannot be too careful in dealing with people?’; (2) ‘Do you think that most people would try to take advantage of you if they got the chance, or would they try to be fair?’; and (3) ‘Would you say that most of the time people try to be helpful or that they are mostly looking out for themselves?’

Summary

Introduction

The concept of ‘fear of crime’ has been the subject of substantive international interest and debate since the 1960s.1 This attention was motivated by the recognition that it is a salient social problem in its own right, with a notable share of citizens across many countries expressing worry about crime.2 It further reflects concern with the complex and detrimental effects that fear of criminal violence imparts on quality of life at individual, community and societal levels. We use nationally representative survey data to examine recent theoretical models on the link between fear of crime and social cohesion within communities.

Results

Conclusion