Analysis of Articles about Theories of Crime - Annotated Bibliography Example

Theories of Crime Name Institution Theories of Crime Wong, S.K. (2012). Youth crime and family disruption in Canadian municipalities: An adaptation of Shaw and McKay’s social disorganization theory. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, 40, 100-114. This article looks at social disorganization as one of the theories which try to illustrate the causes of crime in urban areas. The article mainly looks at youths, and how social disorganization in the community contributes the growing engagement of youths in crimes. According to the article socials disorganization relates to factors such as poverty, ethnic heterogeneity and population mobility. These factors are said to be the main determinant of the level of crime in urban areas. Mobility is explained as the migration to urban areas and is described to highly contribute to the rising level of poverty. Increased levels of poverty, on the other hand, is said to closely relate to the rising levels of crimes in urban areas. This is because youths are forced to look for alternative ways of fending for themselves. Additionally, the article looks at ethnicity as one of the contributing factors occasioning the rise of level of crimes in Canada. The explanation behind this is that minority ethnic groups are prone to engage in criminal activity than majority ethnic groups. In relation to these, the article also looks at how family organization contributes to the increasing level of crimes in any given area. According to the article children brought up under single parenthood are more likely to indulge in criminal activities. Additionally, the author is of the view that such families do not contribute to the depletion of crimes since they do not have sufficient resources to discourage crime. This can be attributed to the increasing emotional problems that such children suffer with their parents being unable to fully remedy the situation. Single parenthood can be attributed to the rising number of divorces. According to the author, divorce bears great effects on the children and could highly contribute to the growing rates of crime. In determining these factors, the article looks at information from the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics’ Uniform Crime Reporting Survey. The center keeps a record of the number of youths that are engaging in crimes across Canada. Apart from keeping records the centre also provides information as to the background of the offenders. Therefore, with such information it becomes easier to support the position reached at by the author. In conclusion, the authors describe poverty, mobility and ethnic heterogeneity as the main factors making up the social disorganization theory. In respect to these factors, the theory has been able to show how and why youth in Canada engage in criminal activities. The article, therefore, is of great significance when it comes to understanding theories of crime which in this case is the social disorganization theory. Additionally, the article makes the article easy to understand by avoiding terminologies that could prove challenging for others to interpret. Therefore, the article can be well understood by any person who has an interest in trying to understand theories of crimes. Lorenc, T., Clayton, S., Neary, D., Whitehead, M., Petticrew, M., Thomson, H., Cummins, S., Sowden, A. & Renton, A. (2012). Crime, fear of crime, environment, and mental health and wellbeing: Mapping review of theories and causal pathways. Health & Place, 18, 757-765. This article tries to explain the factors that could be attributed to the cause of one engaging in criminal activities. The article looks at both social and health factors which in this case relate to psychological factors and how they contribute to crime. The social aspect of the article looks at the surrounding environment of any given individual. The article is of the view that the surrounding environment, which in this case may refer to peers or activities conducted in any given area may have an impact on individuals engaging in crimes. The social behaviors often contribute to the manner in which an individual behave and dictates the probability of such an individual to engage in crimes. Additionally, the article stipulates that there exists a close relationship between crime and health of individuals. The health of individuals talked about in the article is in reference to mental health. This gives a psychological approach as to the probable causes of one engaging in criminal activities. According to the authors’ crime closely relates to fear of crime and this can be a huge determinant in how an individual perceives crime. Therefore, fear of crime relates to the extent in which an individual is able to deter themselves from engaging in criminal activities. This is determined by the state of mind of any individual committing criminal activities. According to the article, there are certain individuals who find it very easy to engage in criminal activities. This, in turn, leads to high probability of such individuals to engage in criminal activities than those who are unease when it comes to committing crimes. This can be attributed to the social environment such individuals are exposed to. Additionally, the state of mind of an individual may lead to individuals avoiding the society making it difficult to understand the individual. This avoidance of the public may lead to the individual having negative attitudes when communicating with other and could easily engage in criminal activities. Therefore, based on such the authors are of the view that the environment and the health of individuals which in this case is mental health have close relation in the commission of any crime. Despite the article being a good source of information in relation to understanding the theories of crime, it is quite difficult to understand. This can be attributed to the fact that the article does not clearly expound on its ideas, and could prove very difficult for a lay person to obtain information. However, in relation to the research on theories as it shows links that exist between various factors in relation to crime. Additionally, the fact that the article is peer reviewed means that the authors are well conversant with the issues. Therefore, this makes the article rich in correct information. Andresen, M.A. (2012). Unemployment and crime: A neighborhood level panel data approach. Social Science Research, 41, 1615–1628. This article looks how economic factors contribute to the rise of crime and how individuals may be propelled into criminal activities based on their economic status. In specific, the article looks at unemployment and the relationship that exists with crime and criminal activities. The author is of the view that neighborhoods that are consistent with high levels of unemployment similarly have high rates of crime. This they attribute to the fact that lack of employment accords individuals more time and opportunity to engage in criminal activities. This compounded with the harsh economic condition act as motivation for the individuals to engage in criminal activities. The author states that this is evident in property theft that is usually witnessed in areas that have high rates of unemployment. Additionally, the author relates to other theories such as opportunity theory. Opportunity theory states that individuals tend to engage in criminal activities due the opportunity afforded to them. Therefore, in relation to unemployment individuals will tend to engage in criminal activities as they are afforded the time and opportunity to do so. In support of these claims, the author uses data obtained from City of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. The author chose the said city due to its high population and the fact that the city has neighborhoods where the level of unemployment is quite high. Therefore, with such a situation it is easy to determine whether unemployment does affect the level of crime in any given area. Additionally, the author uses data from calls made to the Vancouver city police in reporting of crimes. The data shows that property crime is high in areas that have high unemployment rates. Therefore, this shows that there exists a close relationship between unemployment and the rate of crime in any given area. This helps the author reach an amicable conclusion in trying to demonstrate that unemployment does affect the level of crime of any given area. Therefore, the article will play an important role in trying to understand the various theories of crime. This is because the article uses very clear language which is easily understood. Additionally, the author brings out his points quite clearly, which makes it easier for the reader to grasps the main argument on how unemployment relates to crime. Additionally, the article makes references to other authors in trying to support its main argument. Therefore, this makes the information quite dependable in understanding how various factors such unemployment could affect the rates of crime. Additionally, the author uses data which is recent thereby making the research quite useful as it reflects on the true nature of Vancouver city. This is based on the results from the recent census done in Vancouver depicting the population of Vancouver. Therefore, this allows the author to get a clear reflection on the unemployment rate within Vancouver. References Andresen, M.A. (2012). Unemployment and crime: A neighborhood level panel data approach. Social Science Research, 41, 1615–1628. Lorenc, T., Clayton, S., Neary, D., Whitehead, M., Petticrew, M., Thomson, H., Cummins, S., Sowden, A. & Renton, A. (2012). Crime, fear of crime, environment, and mental health and wellbeing: Mapping review of theories and causal pathways. Health & Place, 18, 757-765. Wong, S.K. (2012). Youth crime and family disruption in Canadian municipalities: An adaptation of Shaw and McKay’s social disorganization theory. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, 40, 100-114. Read More