Thinking about YOUR life experiences, how has fear of crime impacted your (or someone you know's) daily activities?

Answer 1

Although this question is over two weeks old, someone down the road may read this.

Emily,

This is a very subjective question, so I can't give an exact answer for you, but I can tell you how to think about it and arrive at your own answer.

First, let's consider what "your life experiences" means. Considering it very specifically, have you or someone you know been a victim of a crime? Has there been a crime that was covered extensively by your local news media? On to more general considerations, think about your environment. Is the area you live in urban, suburban, small town, or isolated rural? Is there a lot of crime in this area? What type of crime is most frequent? Also consider your demographics. Think about your age, sex, gender identity, sexuality, race, class, religion, and political leaning. Do any of these either make you a more likely target for crime, or think about crime more? All of these questions will help you examine your experience.

Second, think about your daily routine. What do you do after you wake up on an average day? When leaving for and arriving at work or school, what is the routine you go through? Where do you park, if you own a car? If you take public transportation, do you have any unwritten rules or guidelines you follow? Will you sit next to someone you don't know? What characteristics would make you feel comfortable sitting next to a stranger, and what would make you feel uncomfortable? When you go out shopping or running errands alone (if you do), what precautions do you take? Will you go out alone at night? Would you walk (more than just to your car) alone at night? When out with friends, do you do anything to look out for each other? When you get home in the evening, what is your routine? Finally, when going to bed for the night, what do you do? Do you make sure your doors are locked?

Lastly, examine all the answers you gave about your daily routine. Ask yourself why you do those things the way you do. Really think about it. See if any of the reasons why connect back to the questions you answered about your life experience.

I hope this helps you develop a thoughtful answer.