Manchester University Press
5 Fear, crime and the home
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Abstract
This chapter focuses on fear of crime, and particularly on the fear of home invasion (burglary). It links back to the ways in which we are taught to fear in our childhood homes, and the contemporary forces which continue to boost the perceived need for home defence. Data on burglary rates and fear of crime are deconstructed, and the interconnected roles of the media and of government in feeding fear are analysed. We suggest that the news media's singular focus on rare and horrific events have a cumulative and traumatic effect on our perceptions of the relative safety of the home. The chapter also looks at the treatment of the home, crime and fear in popular culture, through fiction, films and videogames which highlight terrorised occupants and invaded homes.
Abstract
This chapter focuses on fear of crime, and particularly on the fear of home invasion (burglary). It links back to the ways in which we are taught to fear in our childhood homes, and the contemporary forces which continue to boost the perceived need for home defence. Data on burglary rates and fear of crime are deconstructed, and the interconnected roles of the media and of government in feeding fear are analysed. We suggest that the news media's singular focus on rare and horrific events have a cumulative and traumatic effect on our perceptions of the relative safety of the home. The chapter also looks at the treatment of the home, crime and fear in popular culture, through fiction, films and videogames which highlight terrorised occupants and invaded homes.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vi
- Acknowledgements ix
- History of key terms x
- 1 Introduction 1
- 2 The myths and meanings of home security 26
- 3 A shell for the body and mind 45
- 4 Invasions of privacy 66
- 5 Fear, crime and the home 86
- 6 Technologies of the defended home 107
- 7 Withdraw, defend or destroy 132
- 8 The fortress archipelago 152
- 9 Complexes of the domestic fortress 175
- References 194
- Index 220
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vi
- Acknowledgements ix
- History of key terms x
- 1 Introduction 1
- 2 The myths and meanings of home security 26
- 3 A shell for the body and mind 45
- 4 Invasions of privacy 66
- 5 Fear, crime and the home 86
- 6 Technologies of the defended home 107
- 7 Withdraw, defend or destroy 132
- 8 The fortress archipelago 152
- 9 Complexes of the domestic fortress 175
- References 194
- Index 220
