Social Deviance Theories: Can They Explain Rural Vandalism in the Twenty-First Century?. Issue 1 (2nd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Poyser, Bethan; Poyser, Sam
• Is Part Of: Deviant behavior. Volume 39:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 45
• Publication Date: 2018-01-02
• Subjects: Deviant behavior -- Periodicals; 302.54205
• DOI: 10.1080/01639625.2016.1260382
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0163-9625

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Rural crime is a heavily misunderstood and marginalized area of criminology. In the United Kingdom in particular, there is limited scholarship on the issue and even less on particular types of rural crime, such as rural vandalism. With this in mind, this article reviews the applicability of five deviance theories to several forms of rural vandalism, through a less traditional lens that challenges criminological and rural norms. The article concludes by arguing that most of the theories examined are relevant to explanations of rural vandalism. However, it also emphasizes the need for a solid definition of rural crime, and an overall move away from the urban focus of criminology.