Modern Assignment Flashcards
Introduction and background
Throughout history people have been trying to explain the root cause of criminal behaviour. Determining this cause has prompted the long-standing debate in science and society about whether a person’s genetic makeup is what makes them a criminal or if it is their environment, upbringing and life experiences. In a world where the gap between the rich and poor is increasing, especially since the current cost of living crisis in the UK, which affects those on a low income the most, poverty is often seen as a driving force behind criminal behaviour. The strain theory, for example, suggests that societal pressure on individuals to achieve financial success may lead some people to a life of crime when they see no legal path to wealth. It can be argued that people who are denied the chance of leading a successful life (for example someone in poverty) which results om receiving good education, qualifications and a secure job, may turn to a life of crime as an alternative way of fulfilling their needs and wants. New data released by Revolving Doors, the national charity working to break the cycle of crisis and crime, shows that 76% of UK adults think that rising levels of poverty will lead to an increase in crime. However, many others argue that crime is caused by other factors, such as drugs and alcohol. Many of those found guilty of serious assaults or murder have been under the influence of alcohol (and/or illegal drugs) when committing an offence. Substance abuse can impair judgement and decision-making, leading individuals to engage in risky or illegal activities that they wouldn’t otherwise consider. Others may argue that peer pressure is the main cause of crime, as young individuals who are easily influenced can conform to their peers criminal behaviour as a way to gain approval and be accepted into their group. Finally, others may argue that genetics might influence traits like impulsivity or aggression, which could increase the likelihood of criminal behaviour when they interact with a person’s environment. There could be not just one cause of crime, and all these factors contribute, however in this essay i will argue that poverty is the main cause of crime overall.
Decision
After careful consideration of all the available evidence, it is my decision that poverty is the main cause of crime.
Arguments to support that poverty is the main cause of crime
- Those with a low income may turn to crime to get the necessities they need for themselves or their family
- Poverty can create a sense of desperation or lack of opportunities which could lead some people to commit crime
- Poverty is linked to a lack of positive role models which could increase the chances of a person committing crime
- Those with a low income may turn to crime to get the necessities they need for themselves or their family
One argument to support my decision can be found in source B which states “those on a low income may choose to commit crime to get the things they need, for example by shoplifting”. This shows that financial hardship often leads people to steal necessities for themselves or to provide for their family as they can’t afford basic items such as food and hygiene products.
This can be supported by evidence from source H which states “the Southeast is the wealthiest UK region with only 50% of it’s households not deprived in any area. It is there that Surrey, the county that secures the lowest shoplifting rate, is located and the most dangerous UK region in terms of shoplifting is the Northeast with an average rate of 778 offences per 100,000 people”. This suggests there might be a correlation between the regions economic conditions and shoplifting rates as areas with higher poverty see more shoplifting, possibly out of necessity or lack of basic resources to survive. This can be further supported by my own knowledge. Police recorded 275,076 shoplifting offences in England and Wales in 2022, an increase of 24% from 2021. This could be a result of the pressure from the cost-of-living crisis on individuals and families who are struggling to survive with the increased prices of energy bills and food, who then turn to crime to overcome this.
- Poverty can create a sense of desperation or lack of opportunities which might make crime seem like the only option for some
Another argument to support my decision can be found in source A which states “a lack of good education generally decreases one’s future employment opportunities, leading to possible criminal behaviour for those individuals who cannot obtain viable employment”. This suggests that as schools in deprived areas have a lack of funding, resources and sometimes less experienced teachers, the quality of education will be poorer and this could lead to their pupils not getting the qualifications they need for a good, well-paid job. This can lead to struggling to afford basic needs and feeling excluded from society and in the end turning to crime as a way to make money or an outlet for frustration. This can be supported by evidence from source G which states “the poorest pupils in England are nine times as likely to attend an inadequate school as the wealthiest pupils”. This shows that there is a strong correlation between your social class and the quality of education you get as kids from poorer backgrounds might not get the same quality of education as wealthier ones and therefore denies them many opportunities, This can be further supported by evidence from source K which states “A large proportion of prisoners, or 68%, do not graduate from high school”. This shows that the majority of prisoners are uneducated. This could be due to several reasons such as them coming from a disadvantaged family or community that lacks resources and support for education, negative peer influences who have a disinterest in education or a lack of positive role models who help them see the value of education.
- Poverty is linked to a lack of positive role models which could increase the chances of a person committing crime
Another argument to support my decision can be found from my own knowledge. When children grow up in poverty, they may not have as many positive role models around them to teach them constructive ways to handle life’s harships. It can be harder for them to see and look up to people who have overcome the challenges of poverty and give them a sense of hope. Plus, with economic strain in deprived schools and areas, there may be less access to educational or extracurricular activities that can introduce them to mentors and role models. This could lead to them committing crimes because they may not see examples of success through legal and positive means. Without those examples, they might turn to crime to cope, succeed or find a sense of belonging. This can be supported by evidence from source I which states “children living in poverty are more at risk of being exploited by or becoming victim to criminal gangs”. As children living in poverty often face situations where they may not have many positive influences or stable support systems, it can leave them open to gangs who offer them a sense of belonging or financial incentives. This then creates a bond, which is hard to break, between the child and their criminal gang members, which can then influence and shape them into a criminal in the future and they will not know any different. This can be further supported by evidence from source L which states “teachers working in the most deprived schools, where attainment levels are lower and children are needier, are more likely to be inexperienced and therefore less effective at their job”. Teachers are important role models to children, especially in the early stages of their development, and if children in deprived areas are being taught by unexperienced teachers it could mean they are not taught the importance of education and they may not feel motivated to do well in school. This will then result in poorer grades and the inability to find a decent job, and they could resort to crime to overcome this.
Arguments to oppose that poverty is the main cause of crime
Not everyone will agree that poverty is the main cause of crime, and many people will no doubt argue why the argument is wrong. For example, the following objections may be raised:
1. Peer pressure is the main cause of crime
2. Drugs and alcohol are the main causes of crime
- Peer pressure is the main cause of crime
This opposing argument can be seen in source D which states “A study by Moffit et al (2002) found that adolescents who had delinquent friends were more likely to engage in criminal behaviour themselves”. It is often that a young person will be easily persuaded into committing unlawful acts so they can “fit in” and not be excluded from their peers if they refuse to. Committing crimes can also be a way for young people to gain status and respect from their peers. However, this argument can easily be dismissed by my own knowledge. Poverty is the main cause of crime as children from poorer backgrounds may not have as many opportunities as other young people their age. This lack of opportunity and resources can lead to a desire of acceptance, causing feelings of exclusion or a desire to fit in. This makes children who live in poverty more susceptible to peer pressure in order to gain a sense of belonging, even if it means engaging in risky behaviours. A lack of social activities or positive outlets for their energy can also make children more vulnerable to negative peer influences. Therefore, although peer pressure is a contributing factor in causing crime, poverty is the most dominant cause.
- Drugs and alcohol are the main causes of crime
This opposing argument can be seen in source B which states “On average, roughly 40% of inmates who are incarcerated for violent offences were under the influence of alcohol during the time of their crime. Many of these criminals had an estimated blood alcohol content level of more than three times the legal limit at the time of their arrest”. However, poverty is the main cause of crime as evidence from source J states “there is often a far higher concentration of shops selling alcohol in the poorest neighbourhoods. Wider research has tended to find that higher levels of “outlet density” is linked to both higher levels of consumption and health harms”. This suggests that as there is more alcohol availability in deprived areas, it provides people living in poverty easier access to alcohol, making it more convenient to purchase and consume, which could then lead to them committing a crime under the influence of alcohol. This can be further supported by evidence from source C which states “UK studies suggest that people who experience social and economic disadvantage in early life or adulthood are at greater risk of adopting problem drinking behaviours in later life”. This shows that poverty is the main factor which causes crime as consuming alcohol can be a coping mechanism for people in poverty to help them cope with the stress of their situation and the struggle to pay their bills. This can then lead to them committing crimes as they lose most control of their actions when they are under the influence of alcohol.
Alternative option
Some may argue that the main cause of crime is genetic factors. This argument asserts that one of the main reasons that people commit crime is because it’s in their nature, meaning that some people are more prone to committing criminal acts because of their genetics and how they interact with their environment. Genetic factors can cause individuals to behave a certain way, but it’s really the environment, like poverty, that can activate those tendencies. When people face tough situations without enough resources or support, it can lead to stress and potentially criminal behaviour. Genetic traits such as aggression, impulsivity and a lack of empathy could contribute to criminal behaviour, however these are more likely to be triggeted by environmental factors such as socioeconomic conditions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I firmly believe that poverty is the main cause of crime. Although drugs and alcohol could be a cause of crime due to the high number of offenders who were under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time of their crime, there are more outlets that provide alcohol in deprived areas, making it easier for people in poverty to access. People in poverty also use alcohol or drugs as a form of escapism to cope with their difficult situation. This shows that in the end, the use of alcohol mostly links back to poverty. Peer pressure could also be a cause of crime as young people are easily influenced by their friends to commit unlawful acts in order to fit in, however children living in poverty may have a lack of positive role models and will therefore be more likely to give in to peer pressure as they havent been taught otherwise. Genetic factors could also be a reason why some people commit crime as some personality traits can increase the likelihood of someone committing a crime, however these traits are more likely to be triggered if the individual is experiencing a stressful situation such as poverty.
Evaluation of sources
My most useful source was the criminal justice website (source F). This website deals specifically with this topic and is very specialist, and is therefore more insightful and informed of the issues regarding poverty as a cause of crime. It provided me with useful sources and data to back up my argument. My least useful source was the Guardian article (source K), because it is biased towards left-wing parties and is therefore more likely to display evidence in a way that supports Liberal policies and could be accused of being more willing to accept social causes as a root cause of crime. An example of a non-biased source would be the alcohol rehab guide (source E) who express no allegiance to a political party.
