This is an assignment that I wrote a little over a year ago for my chosen college subject, Public services. I came out of college with a DDD*, and this assignment was graded as a Distinction.
It outlines the many causes of crime, why someone would want too or have to commit a crime, how this affe...
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.
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