Statement of the Problem
There are many crimes across the world that can be committed by the educated or rather the informed and the uneducated groups. Some crimes are committed due to lack of information that obviously raises the incarceration rates. Education through schools, colleges and universities is one way of raising literacy levels in any society (Margaret 79). Another way of passing relevant information can be through other means such as media. This research will seek to evaluate and compare incarceration and crime rates across the different states or countries in the world, in developed and undeveloped regions while relating the subject with the literacy levels.
Justification of the Problem/ Motivation
Crutcher's study that concentrated on southern states of American established a direct link between literacy levels and social-economic aspects, such as care cost, health and wealth cost. In his study, he showed a sample of people with a low level of literacy and high rates of incarceration (Crutcher 36). America has the lowest crime rate compared to most other countries in the world, especially when a demographic feature is factored in. In this respect, one becomes motivated to look deeper into the issues of the relationship between literacy levels and incarceration rates across different countries in the world. The world can be more peaceful if crime rates are reduced. Therefore, this study's main goal is to examine this subject in detail to provide a well-informed work on the topic. The final paper will persuade governments to acknowledge the need of raising literacy levels to reduce crimes for a better world.
Weerman conducted a study that attempted to relate schools and workplace. He established that lack of education and employment increased crime rates (Weerman 143). In respect to these considerations, it is apparent that studying this subject is of great significance considering its vital role in addressing a global challenge of increased crime rates.
Significance of this Study
This study is significant because it shows the importance of raising literacy levels to reduce crime rates. Based on various studies that have been conducted by researchers in different fields, there is a clear indication that raising literacy levels reduces crimes and incarceration rates (Garret 125). Crutcher in his report of his findings showed a close correlation between individuals' literacy level and incarceration. Crutcher further examined the possibility of reducing incarceration rates by improving inmates’ literacy level--a strategy that presented positive results (157).
In another study, Salifu investigated the modern era crime on the internet. He identified that developing countries experienced challenges of increased crimes and terrorism due to low levels of literacy. The implication of this phenomenon is that, developing countries are characterized with cyber-crimes more than the developed countries. A possible explanation is that the situation can be attributable to the fact that developing countries have low levels of literacy as compared to the developed countries. People from the developing countries have a high chance of being victims of cyber-crimes because they lack the knowledge as well as skills of dealing with cyber criminals (Salifu 443). Therefore, this study plays an important role of identifying and evaluating how raising levels of literacy reduces crime rates. By strategizing on various way of increasing literacy levels, governments of different countries can reduce crimes, and terrorism, and improve their economic stability. It is important to have a platform of reference especially when information is crosschecked across different countries.
Research Questions
The research paper will focus on providing answers to the following questions. Therefore, the following are the study question that this paper will seek to address.
1. What is the literacy level in the USA and its implication on crime rates as well as incarceration levels?
2. What is the literacy level in Iran and its implication on crime rates as well as incarceration rates?
3. What is the difference between literacy levels in USA and Iran?
4. What is the difference between crime rates or incarceration rates in USA and Iran?
5. Do improving literacy levels have a significant effect on the number of crimes recorded?
Methodology
This research will be done basing on two countries--USA and Iran. The United States will represent developed nations while Iran will represent developing nations. The comparison shall be made between the two and conclusion arrived at based on the two countries as relating to developing and developed countries.
Secondary data accessed from diverse materials will be used to describe both literacy levels and crime rates. In particular, the research will mainly be based on a comprehensive review of available studies on the subject. This will include establishing the arguments made by studies that link low literacy levels with high crime rates and one that refutes this position.
In conclusion, establishing the relationship between literacy levels and crime rates is a well-thought idea of study. This is particularly of high relevance considering the threat of increased crime rates that challenges the global community. The study will provide a clear insight on the pertinent relationship between these variables.
Works Cited
Crutcher, Paige. "The Fight for Literacy in the South." Publishers Weekly 260.30 (2013): 22, n/a. Web. 24 June 2015. http://search.proquest.com/business/docview/1416196623/A899CFF0EE1049C0PQ/13?accountid=45049
Weerman, Frank. “Criminal Behavior from School to the Workplace.” Untangling the Complex Relation Between Employment, Education and Crime. New York: Routledge publisher, 2014. Web. 24 Jun. 2015. https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=f4ViAgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Garret, Petts. Writing about Literature. A Guide for the Student Critic, 2nd ed. Ontario: Broadview Press, 2013. Web. 23 Jun. 2015. https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=UtK9LRLmCCUC&dq=writing+and+literature&source=gbs_navlinks_s
Margaret, Grimsley. “The Effects of Transitional Counseling on the Recidivism Rates of Female Juvenile Offenders.” Walden University 2008. Academic search complete. Web. 24 Jun. 2015. https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=BbpXYEEiMKgC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Salifu, Adam. "The Impact of Internet Crime on Development." Journal of Financial Crime 15.4 (2008): 432-43. ProQuest. Web. 24 June 2015. http://search.proquest.com/docview/235985961/A4CA3DBBFDBF491CPQ/6?accountid=45049
