Tagging and Graffiti - Victoria University of Wellington

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Tagging and Graffiti: attitudes and experiences of New Zealanders All survey respondents, whether they reported that they wrote graffiti or not, were asked whether they felt the illegal nature of writing made it more attractive. Figure 2 shows that a majority of respondents, whether they wrote or not, tended to agree that the illicit nature of graffiti made it more exciting. Analysis of the survey results showed no differences in response on this issue in terms of age, gender or ethnicity. Agreement was strongest among those relatively involved in graffiti activity with 22.9 per cent ‘strongly agreeing’ that illegality made it more attractive. Online survey respondents cited the ‘thrill’ of illicit activity by stating that they stopped because of: Not feeling the buzz to hit up anymore (Online survey respondent) Focus group participants noted different views of the excitement associated with writing graffiti: Yeah, you get a buzz but not because it is exciting (Focus group participant) It’s exciting. If you see a cop and you haven’t finished your piece you got to get away (Focus group participant) Just do it because we do it. Nothing else to do in the ‘hood (Focus group participant) Figure 2: Graffiti is more exciting because it is illegal, by (non)involvement in writing Strongly agree 11.5% 15.6% 22.9% Agree 38.1% 44.2% 45.2% Neither agree nor disagree 25.1% 28.8% 25.2% Disagree 8.7% 11.5% 8.6% Strongly disagree 5.2% 3.8% 5.4% No Sometimes Yes The attraction of the illicit nature of graffiti was apparent in focus group discussion. Many respondents spoke about the adrenalin rush they associated with graffiti and tagging activity and that this would be muted if it were legalised. Others reported that being caught would change attitudes toward potential future offending. The following excerpts reflect these views: 38
Tagging and Graffiti: attitudes and experiences of New Zealanders Depends on whether you’ve been caught or not. Before you get caught it is exciting but after you have been caught then you just don’t wanna get caught (Focus group participant) You don’t get a rush from something you are allowed to do (Focus group participant) It would still be exciting if it was legal but it would be way reduced (Focus group participant). Desistance from graffiti and tagging All survey respondents were asked if they felt that ‘more effort should be made to stop graffiti’. Table 12 indicates views were near equally divided among all respondents but that the youngest age cohort and older groups (those over 30 years) strongly favoured more effort to stop graffiti. Differences between ethnic groups were also apparent, although not Table 12: Should more effort be made to stop graffiti, by gender, age, ethnicity and participation (number and percentages) Yes No % n % n All 49.8 344 50.2 347 Male 41.1 153 58.9 219 Female 59.9 191 40.1 128 Under 14 72.7 8 27.3 3 14-16 55.0 94 45.0 77 17-19 50.2 129 49.8 128 20-21 38.2 21 61.8 34 22-23 48.6 17 51.4 18 24-25 34.5 10 65.5 19 25+ 29.5 13 70.5 31 30+ 58.6 34 41.4 24 40+ 58.1 18 41.9 13 NZ European 57.8 155 42.2 113 Māori 38.8 45 61.2 71 Pacific peoples 64.1 25 35.9 14 Asian 69.4 25 30.6 11 European 19.3 11 80.7 46 Other ethnicity 48.2 53 51.8 57 Have not written 65.6 267 34.4 140 Have written 24.6 57 75.4 175 Have written ‘sometimes’ 38.5 20 61.5 32 39
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Tagging and Graffiti - Victoria University of Wellington

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