Criminal Minds

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Criminal Minds

A highly debated topic concerns whether criminals commit crimes because of a social pressure or an individual urge. The strain theory supports crime as a social pressure because, as Frank Schmalleger suggests in Criminology Today 222, crime is an adaptive behavior that coincides with problems caused by frustration or unpleasant social surroundings. Also, culture conflict theory states the cause of delinquent behavior is because different social classes conflicting morals of what is appropriate or proper behavior, (Schmalleger 228). Other people believe blaming crime on the economy or where they grew up is making an excuse for criminals instead of making them take responsibility for their actions, as stated by CQ writer Peter Katel. These different views started with statistics taken on crime in the early 1800s. Andre Michel Guerry of France was one of the first examiners of “the moral health of nations” in the early 19th century, (Schmalleger 35). Another early crime statistician was Adolphe Quetelet of Belgium . Quetelet evaluated the crime rates between weather, sex, and age. His findings that climate contributes to high or low crime rate is a main factor in today’s fight against crime. It is doubtful this issue will ever be settled since there are too many pros and cons to each side. However, while specialists’ dispute this, crime is not stopping. There needs to be a way, or possibly several ways, to reduce criminal activity. It is doubtful criminal activity will ever be put to an end. The same is to be said about why people commit crime, but knowing if it is done socially or individually can help with the fight against it. In the end, individuals should take responsibility for their actions, but...

... middle of paper ...

... would have to start when people are young because it is easier to mold them into learning to stay away from crime and be an individual or a leader, not a follower. Crime is a social affair as of now, but with hard work and dedication, youngsters can be kept off the path of crime and become morally sound, responsible adults.

Works Cited

• A & E Television "Frank Lucas Biography." Businessweek. 2011. Web. .

• Cozic, Charles P. Gangs Opposing Viewpoints. 1st ed. san diego: greenhaven press, 1995. Print.

• Katel, Peter. CQ. n. page. web.

• Levisohn, Ben. "Top News August 11, 2009, 6:50PM EST text size: TTA Top Madoff Aide Shatters the Silence." Business Week. 11 08 2009: n. page. Print.

• Roe, Denise. Crime Magazine. n.d. n. page. Print.

• Samenow, Stanton E. Inside the Criminal Mind. 1st ed. new york: crown publishers, 1984. Print.

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