The Effects Of Homicide

By definition, Homicide, is “the killing of one human being by another”. In the United States, Homicide is considered the most severe infraction in the Law and the most publicized. Anywhere where there is a television, newspaper or computer that is accessible to the news, Homicide is a recurring story which captures the audience’s attention. Music, movies and television all have highlighted this infamous act to gain views. Homicide definitely is the most groundbreaking offense due to the way it affects others besides the victim of the crime. Homicide has long lasting emotional, physical and physiological effects of the family and friends of the deceased.

Due to this fact, Homicide is attempted to be studying leaving many researchers to ask

Social pressures and positions that people are put in to by those pressures cause them to act out and commit homicide. This can best be explained by Social strain theory which will better help explain why people commit murder. Social Strain theory is not the explanation for all murder however it plays a very integral role.

Homicide is definitely a problem for society. Cities like Chicago and Compton deal with murder on a daily basis. Police Departments have specific units just to handle murder and the elements that come with it. Homicide also goes hand in hand with politics. Usually, violent, crime ridden cities are the hot bed issues among the candidates that run them. Just recently, in the presidential race in 2017, the problem of Chicago and their skyrocketing murder rate was discussed. Federal assistance was discussed in order to help quell the murder rate. Obviously murder doesn’t just end someone’s life but also figuratively ends a part of the life of the family and friends. Due to all the different demographics that make up Homicide anyone can be a victim of this heinous crime at any time. Homicide being such a pillar of pop culture and the news, and movies makes this crime such a fascinating topic to discuss and

The report goes on to highlight characteristics including but not limited to, poverty, job access, immigration, vacancy rates, evictions and employment rate as contributing circumstance to an increase in neighborhood crime. The study conducted by HUD states that money is a common factor. Poverty rates and overall income inequality are direct links to neighborhoods that experience higher rates of violent crimes and homicides. This indicates that an individual may be more likely to offend based on the more they are negatively affected by social strain. The study points out that usually these neighborhoods are comprised of minorities including African Americans and Hispanics. Minorities already are victims of negative social structure in addition to neighborhoods that are negatively impacted making minorities at greater risk now only to commit murder but also to be the victim of violent crime and homicide. The HUD study is quick to state that strong social organization, job opportunities and residential stability are all characteristics that can help stabilize a neighborhood in social strain. This research study conducted by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development is a perfect example of how negative social structures can wreak havoc on a