Southern Culture and Aggravated Assault: Exploring the Generality of the Southern Cultural of Violence

ABSTRACT

Numerous studies have investigated the Southern culture of violence (SCOV). In particular, prior analyses have focused on white argument-based homicide in rural areas, a context in which the SCOV should be most prominent. Initial analyses examined dichotomous regional indicators (South/non-South) and often neglected to control for structural disadvantage. Recent research developed a summary based measure of Southern cultural influence that consolidates regional, ethnic, and religious characteristics. Unfortunately, a lack of available data on the underlying circumstances of different forms of violence has hindered our ability to assess the generality of the Southern cultural tolerance of violence. The current study addresses this limitation by using NIBRS data to assess the influence of a composite measure of Southern culture on variation in white argument-based aggravated assault. Analyses of county-level data support the generalizability of the Southern cultural influence to non-lethal forms of argument-based violence.

Notes

¹The following states are included in the analysis: AR, CO, DE, ID, IA, KS, KY, MI, MT, ND, NH, OH, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, WV, UT, and VT.

²Supplementary analyses indicated the results are substantively the same when the sample is limited to only counties in states with 100% population coverage.

³The composite index allows for a more nuanced assessment of the influence of specific elements of Southern culture on violent crime. This assessment is not limited to a binary indicator of whether a state is located in the Southern region. The index of Southern cultural influence varies between counties within a single state, and index values are not dependent on a county being located in the Southern region. As such, the inclusion of a limited number of Southern states in the sample does not undermine the validity of the analyses. In fact, our analyses may underestimate the link between Southern culture and violence because some “deep South” states (i.e., AL, GA, LA, and MS) are not included in the analyses.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shaun A. Thomas

Shaun A. Thomas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Arkansas. His recent research has focused on the spatial and temporal aspects of crime, institutional isolation, disproportionate minority contact, and investigating the structural and cultural sources of interpersonal violence. His recent research has appeared in a variety of outlets including Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Contemporary Journal of Criminal Justice, Crime and Delinquency, Journal of Criminal Justice, and Homicide Studies.

Drew C. Medaris

Drew C. Medaris is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Sociology at the University of New Mexico. His scholarly interests include intergroup conflict, hate crime, community contexts, crime and identities, social movements, and contemporary white supremacy groups.

Cody R. Tuttle

Cody R. Tuttle recently earned a master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Arkansas. His research focuses on social stratification and inequality, communities and crime, immigration, and media. He currently works as a researcher and data analyst for the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services, where his work focuses on racial equity in early childhood systems and public policy.