Neighborhood Environment is Directly Correlated with Crime - Assignment Example

Neighborhood Environment is Directly Correlated with Crime Neighborhood Environment is Directly Correlated with Crime name)(Course code)(Date of submission)Neighborhood Environment is Directly Correlated with Crime1. Why do you think one neighborhood or city has more crime than another? Every city has their own crimes rates and one reason for crime commission includes the extent of inequalities. According to conflict theory, cities that do not give the same contingencies in work, education and other opportunities among its constituents, where marginalization and social segregation are obvious may bring about conflicts and disequilibrium.

The high prevalence of crime is apparent in cities where oppression is rampant and where there is obvious discrimination between the poor and the rich. This is reflected in the case of South Africa where crime is at its highest pointing to inequality as the major culprit (Silber & Geffen, 2009). It was found out that inequality among the black community has a high correlation with violence. Racism is also found out to be among the contributory factors in the commission of crime in this country.

Another is inequality of criminal law reflecting a competition of values and interests instead of representing a consistent application of societal values. For instance, cigarette and alcohol are allowed to be sold anywhere in the world however marijuana is not because it is dangerous to one’s health. Such reason obviously represents inequality in criminal law since all three poses danger to the health. With this inconsistent societal value and application of law, the marijuana is outlawed. 2. In your opinion, why do you think some individuals within low-crime neighborhoods commit crimes while many in high-crime areas refrain from crime?

One reason individuals in low crime neighborhood commit crime is the rational incentives that the individual gains from doing criminal acts. People who are occupying the lower strata in the society are generally the people with lower income and wealth. The temptation of gains from committing crime is greater. In addition, when they are caught, they have nothing to lose but gained material incentives. It should also be noted that this type of individuals do not fear being arrested nor fear the law, more so that they do not give importance to their family, friends, and their informal relations.

Another reason lies on the loopholes in the duties of law enforcers. Police officers have the tendency not to maintain consistent surveillance in neighborhoods with low crime rates. On the other hand, people who have the social skills are the people who are successful in their life thus even if they live within high crime areas; they have the prudency to exercise sound judgment in their decision not to commit crime. Individuals who have the proper education are equipped with the social qualities needed to adjust to the challenges of life. 3. Does this suggest that the environment has little impact on an individual’s criminal behavior? Explain. Since crime rates depend on several factors, environment is not a separate entity in the commission of crimes.

However, in communities where crime rate is low and only isolated cases are committed, the reason lies on individual factor. This might point to dysfunctional behavior such as in the case of psychiatric symptoms. In the book of McMurran and Hollin (1997), they explained that individuals have the tendency to commit crime because of addiction to it thus they commit the same crime over and over even if they live in a low crime neighborhood. Some also commit crime because they enjoy it (Kantz, 1988).

People shoplift even if they are caught several times on grounds that they feel elated or feel an emotional thrill with the act. This handful of criminal individuals in low crime neighborhood happens to be within that area. It does not mean however that the individual is not influenced by its environment. To some extent, environment plays a role. If the environment seems not to exercise public accountability and retribution, the individual continues to commit crimes. And if coherence of traditional community and the values of family remain to breakdown, crime could not be prevented to occur regardless of the type of neighborhood.

ReferencesKantz, J. (1990). Seductions of crime. Basic books. McMurran, M., & Hollin, CR. ( 1997). Addicted to crime? Wiley publishing. Silver, G., & Geffen, N. (2009). Race, class, & violent crime in South Africa: Dispelling the Huntley thesis. SA Crime Quarterly. Retrieved from http://writingrights.org on November 30, 2011.