The Era of Increased Violence in the United States: Age, Period, or Cohort Effect?

Abstract

An age/period/cohort analysis is conducted for homicide rates during the years 1952–1976, a period during which rates of violent crimes escalated substantially in U. S. society. This increase is shown to be most effectively conceptualized as a cohort phenomenon, although the effects of age are also evident. Youth cohorts of the early 1960s display substantially higher rates of homicide than previous youth cohorts, and tend to maintain these relatively higher rates through their life cycle. Explanations for this finding are explored via economic factors, for which some empirical substantiation is provided.