THREAT BY VIOLENCE AND CRIME IN OLD-AGE

The threat by violence and crime in old age is discussed from a geront ological point of view. The seemingly paradoxical result that older pe rsons show significantly higher fear of crime than younger ones despit e their much lower objective risk of criminal victimization proves to be empirically untenable - especially if fear of crime is differentiat edly assessed. The more pronounced caution In old age is determined le ss by an increased fear of crime but by an adequate awareness of incre ased vulnerability in old age. Risk-avoidant behavior in public accomp anied by a general tendency of social withdrawal, however, also increa ses the risk of victimization in close social relationships, especiall y in the context of conflicts between generations. Perspectives for em pirical research on threat by violence and crime in old age are discus sed fron a developmental and gerontological point of view.