Crime Rates in the U.S.
Crime has become a major public concern issue in the United States. Many crimes have been reported in the U.S. yet there are no definite underlying causes on the increase crime rates in the U.S. The issue of the increase in the crime rates has brought about debates on the causes and how to reduce it and very little has been found on the factors that influence crime. There are various factors that influence crime rates in the United. There are social and environmental factors that influences crime rates in the U.S.
Poverty and social economic conditions have always been seen as major factors that influence crime rates in the U.S. Communities that are poverty prevalent have always recorded high levels of crime. Due to poverty, there is increased population which also increases the crime rates in the populated regions (Helfgott, 2008). Researchers indicate that, areas with high populations and those with dense populations always record a high rate of crimes. Due to the increased population, there are poor living conditions and the people in these regions will always do anything to make ends meet and have a good life and this leads them into crime. Crimes committed in these regions are car theft, burglary, pick pocketing, larceny and stealing of domestic properties. Poverty has a very high influence over crime rates in the United States.
Another social factor that influences crime rates in the U.S. is social institutions (Walker, 2011). Social institutions such as schools, churches and working places have had a very big impact on organized crimes in the U.S. Through social institutions, crimes are organized and later implemented. It is also through these institutions that gangs are formed and many crimes in the U.S. are always organized and executed by gangs. Most of the gangs meet in social institutions and it is through there that they form gangs and organize crimes (Mallory, 2007). Lack of education is also another social factor that leads to the increase of crime rates in the U.S. People who do not go to school lack awareness of laws and regulations and they end up breaking the laws and committing crimes. Further studies done by Carlie (2002) shows that many people who end up in prison lack education because they never had a chance to get education. Therefore, lack of education has an influence over crime rates in the United States.
One of the environmental factors that influence crime rates in the United States in unemployment. Many youths in the United States are unemployed and this has led them to resort to crimes so as to be able to fend for themselves and their families. Many of them lack food, clothing and shelter and the only way to get these things is through crimes like theft and burglary in order to be able to afford these basics. In addition, due unemployment, many people will resolve to criminal activities because they do not want to live in poverty and want to live like the rest of the people who are employed. They always indulge in criminal activities so as to have a better life.
Further more, high drug influence is also another environmental factor that has facilitated the increase of crime rates in the U.S.
Many youth in the United States have resolved to take drugs and this makes them commit crimes either knowingly and unknowingly. Some of them are unemployed and for them to be able to buy these drugs, they have to steal so as to be able to afford the drugs. Single parenthood is another cause of increased crime in the U.S. Many children brought up by single parents end up on the streets and later become drug addicts who steal from other people. Lack of structured authority is also another factor that influences crime rates in the U.S. Poor parenthood can make children become criminals because if they are not brought up with a structured authority, they will end up indulging in criminal activities. In essence, crime in the U.S. is mainly caused by poverty, lack of education, unemployment, single parenthood only to mention but a few.
References
Carlie, M. (2002). A Perspective on Gangs. Retrieved from http://people.missouristate.edu/MichaelCarlie/orientation/perspective.htm
Helfgott, J. (2008). Criminal Behavior: Theories, Typologies and Criminal Justice. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc.
Mallory, S. (2007). Theories on the Continued Existence of Organized Crime. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett Publishers Canada.
Walker, B. (2011). Institutions. Retrieved from http://www.sociologyguide.com/basic-concepts/Social-Institutions.php
