hardy a, exercise # 3

8/8/2019 Hardy A, Exercise # 3

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Murder Victims 1

Running Head: Murder Victims by Age, Sex, and Race

Exercise #3

Murder Victims by Age, Sex, and Race

Ameshia Hardy

SOWK 300

Tuskegee University

Wednesday, September 24, 2010


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Murder Victims 2

Abstract

The high homicide rates among Black males, is a nation and state wide problem. The

majority of these murders occur between the ages of 20 and 24. Six percent of all violent crimes

are homicides. This is alarming because Blacks only account for roughly 13% of the U.S

population, yet they have the highest rates of homicides. Most homicides occur in metropolitan

statistical areas/ cities. The graphs that I have selected will show how and to what extent race,

sex, age, and region have on homicide rates.


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Murder Victims 3

Magnitude of the Problem Figure 1

Descriptive Discussion - Figure 1

In this graph, murders are committed the least out of every violent crime in the U.S.

There was a total of 467,000 violent crimes committed in the U.S., in 2007. Murders only

accounted for 5 percent of these crimes. Forcible rape accounted for 13 percent of violent crimes.

Robbery accounted for 30 percent of violent crimes. Aggravated assaults accounted for 52

percent of violent crimes.


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Murder Victims 4

Interpretive Discussion - Figure 1

This is not a severe problem for the U.S. as a whole, but it is a severe problem for African

Americans. Black people are a small minority in the U.S., yet they have higher homicide rates

than the White majority. 5.6 percent seems like a small amount, but if you consider the fact

that Blacks only make up roughly 13 % of the U.S. population, that percentage becomes larger.

This problem affects Black people as a whole because it endangers the survival of the Black

community.

When fathers are murdered their spouses are left with the responsibility of raising their

kids. This puts a strain on the infrastructure of the family because the children grow up without

a father figure. In addition, mothers are often forced to work long hours and/or multiple jobs to

provide for their families. This leaves children at home alone and left to raise themselves or run

the streets if a guardian isnt present. Thus, the cycle of violence and delinquency will continue

to be a major aspect of certain Black communities.


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Murder Victims 5

Scope of the Problem Figure 2

Descriptive Discussion - Figure 2

This graph shows the type of areas that have the highest homicide rates. 17 percent of the

crimes committed in 2007 were murders. 13 percent of these murders were committed in urban

areas / cities. 3 percent of murders were committed in the suburbs. 1 percent of murders were

committed in rural areas/ the country.


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Murder Victims 6

Interpretive Discussion - Figure 2

Most murders are committed in urban areas. This could be because urban areas have

more impoverished areas than rural and suburban communities. Poverty is the root of most

crimes. People who feel like they dont have a way out of their impoverished conditions may

resort to burglary and or robbery. If something goes wrong someone could easily get killed,

even if the intention was not to kill anyone.Urban areas have easier access to firearms and other

weapons because all types of people live in the city. Cities are large and crowded. Therefore,

catching criminals is not an easy task for policemen. They may catch some but they can never

catch them all. . This is a national and state-wide problem because Black males are being

murdered in states across the country at high rates.


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Murder Victims 7

Changes in the Problem Figure 3

Descriptive Discussion Figure 3

The problem of homicides has changed dramatically over time. The first change occurred

between 1980 and 1985. During this time White males had the highest homicide rates. Black

males had the second highest homicide rates. White females had the third highest homicide rates.

Black females had the lowest homicide rates. The second change occurred in 1990. During this

time, Black males had the highest homicide rates. White males had the second highest homicide

rates. Black females had the third highest homicide rates. White females had the lowest homicide

rates.


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Murder Victims 8

Interpretive Discussion Figure 3

These statistics show that males die from homicides at a higher risk than females. This

could be because males are more violent by nature. In addition, some people believe that murder

is the only way to get revenge. This is dangerous thinking because the human life is precious and

cannot be replaced. The homicide rates of Black males has decreased since 1990. The year of

2005 shows that the murder rates of Black males are increasing again. Hopefully this harmful

cycle will come to an end. Only time will tell.

Disparities in the Problem Figure 4


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Murder Victims 9

Descriptive Discussion Figure 4

This graph displays the homicide rates for Blacks and Whites according to their age.

Most Blacks and Whites are murdered between the ages of 20 and 24. The second highest murder

rate age is between 30 and 34. The lowest murder rate is between 50 and 54. The rates of murder

decreased as both groups of people grew older. Therefore, the amount of homicides depend on

age.

Interpretive Discussion Figure 4

This graph showed me that the young generation has the highest rates of murder. This

could be because immaturity. At the age of 20 and 24 young people are still learning. They like

to experience things for themselves. Young people dont always know whats right from wrong

until they are faced with a hard decision. The people that were murdered may have been involved

in some type of illegal activity or gang, or they might have just been at the wrong place at the

wrong time. The older you get the more knowledge you gain. The saying that knowledge is

power, is relevant to this graph.


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Murder Victims 10

Summary and Conclusion

In terms of race, there is a disparity between the homicide rates of Blacks and Whites in

the U.S. Blacks have the highest rates of homicide in the U.S. In terms of sex there is a disparity

among people in the U.S. Males had the highest rates of homicide in the U.S. From 1980 to

2007, more males were victims of homicides than females. The ages that experienced the highest

homicide rates were between 20 and 24.

The problem of homicides has changed dramatically over time. The first change

occurred between 1980 and 1985. During this time White males had the highest homicide

rates. Black males had the second highest homicide rates. White females had the third highest

homicide rates. Black females had the lowest homicide rates.

The second change in homicide rates occurred in 1990. During this time , Black males

had the highest homicide rates. White males had the second highest homicide rates. Black

females had the third highest homicide rates. White females had the lowest homicide rates. The

third change occurred in 2001. During this year, White males had higher rates of homicide than

Black males. White females had higher rates of homicide than Black females. The last change

occurred in 2002. During this time Black males and females went back to having the highest

homicide rates.


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Murder Victims 11

The problem of homicide is widespread. It is a national and state problem. It occurs in

metropolitan statistical areas or cities, 6 out of 17 people die from homicide. It occurs in cities

outside metropolitan areas or suburbs, 1 out of 17 people die from homicide. It occurs in non

metropolitan areas or rural areas, 1 out of 17 people die from homicide. 90 percent of homicides

occur in metropolitan statistical areas or cities. 6 percent of homicides occur in cities outside

metropolitan areas or suburbs. 4 percent of homicides occur in non metropolitan areas or rural

areas. 6 percent of all violent crimes are homicides.

Overall, the problem of high homicide rates in the Black community needs to be fixed.

African Americans are a minority and only account for roughly 13% of the U.S. population,

yet they are being murdered in amounts larger than the White minority. Therefore, at least one

person that African Americans know will be murdered in their lifetime. Murder victims could

be a relative, friend, or member of their community. The cost of this problem is that an at least

6,200 or more, Black males will die each year from homicides. At least 1,200 or more Black

females will die each year from homicides. This affects the survival and propagation of African

Americans in a number of ways.


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Murder Victims 12

Firstly, it slows down the reproduction rates of African Americans because of the lack

of available mates or spouses. Secondly, it leaves mothers with the responsibility of raising their

children on their own, or in the presence of a man who is not the child's biological father. The

changes that can be made to alleviate this problem is for African Americans to ; implement more

after school programs for kids ( YMCA Boys and Girls Club, Sports/ Athletics) , establish trade

programs for high school drop outs, and create more jobs for African Americans. The root of

most murders is crime.

The root of most crime is poverty. Something must be placed in the community to

eliminate poverty. After school programs will keep students off of the streets and it will teach

them the importance of an education. If students value their education they will be less likely

to drop out of school. They may even choose further their education by earning a degree. This

will increase their chances of poverty and or a life of crime, imprisonment, or death. Sports

will give rambunctious kids a chance to let out their energy and explore other revenues of the

importance of teamwork. It will occupy their time so that they won't have to resort to the streets

for entertainment. The trade schools will give high school dropouts a chance to obtain a quality

job that is above the poverty line. The creation of more jobs will allow families to provide

for their families and move out of high crime areas. Overall, homicides can be decreased by

implementing programs that educate and train and by creating jobs.


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hardy a, exercise # 3

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