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Article
"May Piece be with You:" A Typological Examination of the Fear and Victimization Hypothesis of Adolescent Weapon Carrying
Justice Quarterly (2009)
  • Terrance J. Taylor, University of Missouri-St. Louis
  • Chris Melde, Michigan State University
  • Finn-Aage Esbensen, University of Missouri–St. Louis
Abstract
The causes and correlates of adolescent weapon carrying have received considerable scholarly attention. One common explanation of adolescent weapon carrying, the “fear and victimization hypothesis,” identifies the fear of victimization as a motivating force behind this behavior. Empirical studies of this explanation, however, have produced mixed results. One potential source of this ambiguity is the myriad data and measurement issues that have arisen in prior studies of the topic. The current study addresses many of these limitations through the use of panel data from over 1,100 youth across the United States. Through a typological approach, results support a multiple pathways framework for explaining adolescent weapon carrying, as the perceived risk of victimization is positively associated with weapon carrying for those youth who report both victimization and offending experiences. For those youth who are “pure offenders,” fear of victimization is inversely related to weapon carrying, while the perceived risk of victimization is unrelated to carrying weapons. Consistent with prior literature, results indicate that gang members report a disproportionately high level of weapon carrying.
Publication Date
2009
DOI
10.1080/07418820802290488
Citation Information
Terrance J. Taylor, Chris Melde and Finn-Aage Esbensen. ""May Piece be with You:" A Typological Examination of the Fear and Victimization Hypothesis of Adolescent Weapon Carrying" Justice Quarterly Vol. 26 Iss. 2 (2009) p. 348 - 376
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/terrance-taylor/21/