Is There a Relationship Between Education Level, Conservatism and Crime Rates?

Education is a fundamental factor that is effective in a wide range from the socialisation of the individual to his/her status. Education can be effective on political participation by raising social status, providing the individual with skills and resources that can be valid for organisational and political activities, providing scientific skills to think abstractly and perceive and understand the complex order of political relations, as well as stimulating a sense of citizenship in the individual.

The aim of this article is to examine the ‘relationship between education level, conservatism and crime rates’ in the context of Turkey. It is also aimed to determine the relationship between conservatism and crime types and whether the level of education plays a mediating role in this context.

The Relationship between Level of Education and Crime Rates

According to a study (A Psychosocial Research on Vesikalı Prostitutes), the rate of prostitution increases as the level of education decreases (Saygılı 1991). In the publication titled ‘Investigation of the Relationship between Education Level and Crime Type’, very significant relationships were found between education levels and crimes such as theft, fraud, rape and murder.

As a result, as the level of education decreased, the rates of these offences increased significantly (Yıldız, 2004). Especially the crime rates of individuals with less than high school education are significantly higher than those with high school and higher education.

Based on the data published by the Turkish Statistical Institute and the Ministry of Justice, striking relationships have been found between education level and crime rates.

In 2019, when the percentage of criminals with less than high school education level among the convicts in penal institutions was analysed; the total percentage of criminals who graduated from schools below high school level was found to be quite high compared to other education levels.

In 2020, 68.9% of the convicts did not attend school or graduated from primary, secondary and equivalent vocational schools, and when we look at the distribution of the crimes committed according to the level of education, the majority of those who committed the crimes of murder, sexual crimes and wounding are primary, secondary and equivalent vocational school graduates (50.4%), high school and equivalent vocational school graduates (29.2%), university graduates (4.6%), respectively.

Convicts in penal institutions in 2021 by education level:

These data show that crime rates decrease significantly with increasing educational attainment. For example, the rate of offences committed by university graduates is approximately one fifth of that of primary school graduates. It can be said that especially university graduates have a significantly lower rate of offending compared to other school graduates.

On the other hand, when the recidivism rates between 2017 and 2020 are analysed according to education levels; the gradual increase in the recidivism rates of secondary school, high school and higher education graduates can be considered as an important indicator that the quality of education is gradually decreasing and the content of education cannot respond to the needs of contemporary society. It is observed that higher education graduates have been involved in forgery crime more than other crimes in the years in question.

This situation may be a result of the unemployment of graduates or the political, economic and cultural degeneration or deterioration of the society. Since higher education graduates are employed in important positions of the state in areas such as administration, supervision, law, economy and politics, it is considered that the crime of forgery may have destructive and irreparable consequences for the social structure and state institutions.

Some striking data on crime rates and education levels in different regions of Turkey are as follows:

Eastern Anatolia Region: In this region, where the level of education is low, homicide and theft rates are above 32 per cent.

Aegean Region: In this region, where the level of education is relatively high, crime rates are below 15%.

Marmara Region: In this region where different socio-economic levels coexist, crime rates are around 20%.

The Relationship between Education Level and Conservatism

In a study, significant relationships were found between education levels and party preferences. In this study, it was found that as the level of education decreases, the rate of individuals preferring conservative parties is higher than the rate of individuals preferring other parties (Gümüş, 2006).

Education Level and Conservative Party Preference:

- Primary school graduates: 64% tend to vote for conservative parties.

- High school graduates: 42% tend to vote for conservative parties.

- University graduates: 20% tend to vote for conservative parties.

The Relationship between Conservatism and Crime Rates

In regions where the level of conservatism is high, the tendency of individuals to commit offences differs. In regions where traditional family structures are strong, crimes are generally hidden or not reflected in official records. For example, crimes such as honour killings are under-recorded. Considering the relationship between education level and conservatism, some hypotheses can be put forward, but more studies are needed to measure the effects of conservatism on crime rates.

Conclusion

Studies have shown that low level of education causes individuals to be disadvantaged in economic and social areas, which may increase crime rates. In addition, the effect of conservatism level on individuals' value judgements and behaviours suggests that it may be related to crime tendencies.

The level of education affects not only the economic status of individuals, but also their social participation and crime tendencies. Moreover, the relationship between conservatism and crime rates provides an important framework for understanding individuals' ties with social values and norms.

These findings suggest that education policies and crime prevention strategies should be reconsidered. It is thought that policies aimed at increasing the level of education can provide not only individual development but also social peace.

Recommendations

Considering the relationship between education and crime, investing in human capital, i.e. providing quality, equal and accessible education, is a salvation especially for children and individuals who are disadvantaged, who live in crime environments, and who are at risk of both being pushed into crime and becoming victims of crime. It can be considered that raising the level of education in the country will reduce the frequency of occurrence of the types of crimes that are mostly committed by out-of-school and low-educated individuals. In this context:

- Turkey should overcome the inadequacy of the resources allocated to education and should aim to reach all individuals of school age by using resources effectively. Financial support and scholarship programmes should be expanded to increase school attendance rates.

- Projects to increase the level of education should be intensified especially in disadvantaged regions.

- The number of vocational training centres should be increased to facilitate individuals' adaptation to the labour market.

Educational and cultural factors should be taken into account in crime prevention strategies. In this context:

- Job finding, education completion and social adaptation programmes should be developed for individuals released from prisons and psychosocial support services should be provided.

- In regions where conservatism is strong, judicial and administrative arrangements should be made to prevent the concealment of social crimes.

- Instead of conservative values, content that will strengthen moral values and modern citizenship consciousness should be added to the curriculum.

Source

Burak Gümüş. The Role of Education Level in Voter Behaviour and Antalya Case Study. Süleyman Demirel University, Master's Thesis (2006).

https://www.sosyalveri.net/analiz/egitim-durumu-ve-suc-turleri-uzerine-bir-analiz

https://turkiyeraporu.com/arastirma/suc-ve-ceza-turkiyede-suc-oranlari-10489/

Ministry of Interior, Turkey Crime Rates Report (2008-2022).

Sezer, Sergender et al. ‘Sociological Analysis of the Relationship between Education and Crime’. MSKU Faculty of Education Journal MSKU Journal of Education ISSN 2148-6999 Volume- Volume 9, Number- Number 2, (2022)

Sefa Saygılı et al. ‘A Psychosocial Research on Vesikalı Prostitutes.’ Thinking Man 4 (1991).

Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), Education Level and Crime Statistics.

Zeki Yıldız. ‘Investigation of the Relationship between Level of Education and Type of Crime.’ Educational Administration in Theory and Practice (2004)