Crime and its effects
Crime is an act defined by breaking the law. The law is a structure set up by
our government to protect citizens in their everyday lives. Therefore, a crime
is an act punishable by law. People may commit crimes or be victims of
crime for many different reasons, the main mindset for someone who
commits a crime will be the same, however the mentality of a murderer
would be different to that of a shoplifter.
People commit crime for lots of different reasons, some of these include -
Poverty
The thrill it provides
Boredom
Desperation
Peer pressure
Financial gain
Gang
Rewards (financial)
Location
Age
A survey carried out by the Scottish government showed that the main age
group for criminals is 15-45. This shows that tendencies start in teenage
years when hormones are starting to develop (particularly in boys,
, testosterone). The ministry of defense published a document in 2018
detailing the connection between youths and crime during 2016-2017.
During the year under 18s carried 4,000 proven offences involving
possession of a knife or weapon. It also stated that 42.2% of children and
young people reoffended within the first 5 years after the crime, which is an
increase of 4% since 2015. This shows a strong correlation with age and
crime.
There are many factors that contribute to someone committing a crime:
gender – men are more likely to commit crime due to hormones such as
testosterone as well as being more subject to peer pressure.
Social status – if someone is involved in a gang they are more likely to
commit crime because they have to go through ‘initiation’ stages which could
involve anything to a petty crime to a revenge stabbing etc.
Learning – if someone is taught from a young age what is right and wrong
then they are less likely to do wrong. However, if the teacher has a distorted
view of right and wrong (which contradicts the law) they are more likely to
commit crimes.
Family – if a family is involved in crime the children learn these criminal
behaviors and see it as socially acceptable as they know no difference. This
links into learning above.
Crime is an act defined by breaking the law. The law is a structure set up by
our government to protect citizens in their everyday lives. Therefore, a crime
is an act punishable by law. People may commit crimes or be victims of
crime for many different reasons, the main mindset for someone who
commits a crime will be the same, however the mentality of a murderer
would be different to that of a shoplifter.
People commit crime for lots of different reasons, some of these include -
Poverty
The thrill it provides
Boredom
Desperation
Peer pressure
Financial gain
Gang
Rewards (financial)
Location
Age
A survey carried out by the Scottish government showed that the main age
group for criminals is 15-45. This shows that tendencies start in teenage
years when hormones are starting to develop (particularly in boys,
, testosterone). The ministry of defense published a document in 2018
detailing the connection between youths and crime during 2016-2017.
During the year under 18s carried 4,000 proven offences involving
possession of a knife or weapon. It also stated that 42.2% of children and
young people reoffended within the first 5 years after the crime, which is an
increase of 4% since 2015. This shows a strong correlation with age and
crime.
There are many factors that contribute to someone committing a crime:
gender – men are more likely to commit crime due to hormones such as
testosterone as well as being more subject to peer pressure.
Social status – if someone is involved in a gang they are more likely to
commit crime because they have to go through ‘initiation’ stages which could
involve anything to a petty crime to a revenge stabbing etc.
Learning – if someone is taught from a young age what is right and wrong
then they are less likely to do wrong. However, if the teacher has a distorted
view of right and wrong (which contradicts the law) they are more likely to
commit crimes.
Family – if a family is involved in crime the children learn these criminal
behaviors and see it as socially acceptable as they know no difference. This
links into learning above.
