Violent Crimes and Groups That Are Involved in Them - Term Paper Example

Social Problems Social Problems Introduction Significant numbers of scholars from diverse professional and social backgrounds have over years pursued various researches and studies to examine the causes, course, and impact of the contemporary social issues in the society. Many scholars and social thinkers have defined and categorised social issues in the modern society differently depending on their professionals’ background. As a result of their intensive studies and researches, social thinkers and sociologists have described social problems as emerging social issues that affect normal operation and activities in the society (Becker, 2008). Societies either small or big encounter consistent social problems depending on their norms, values, geographical locations, and the existing rules and regulations. In most cases, close interaction and association of people in specified social settings result to conflict and confusion among community members. At present, violent crime especially among juvenile and youths have become a social crime in many social settings. Various scholars and group of professionals have linked the current violent crime in the society to several social factors depending on their ideological perspectives. Many professionals have associated contemporary violent crimes especially among juvenile and youths with family breakdown as well as disintegration of some of the most essential welfare associations (Blum& Ireland, 2004). Despite the disagreement on the causes of violent crimes among scholars, a good number of modern social thinkers have universally agreed that, violent crime is a social problem that requires abrupt invention measures to prevent its severe impacts to the general society. Violent Crimes Various studies that were undertaken during post-war period indicate that, cases of violent crimes especially among people have been drastically increasing. To counter the problem, various social professionals and legal experts have instituted various mechanisms that are aimed at sensitizing the public on the side effects of engaging violent crimes. Although, the existing policies and regulations have played a critical role in reducing violent crimes especially among young people, a study that was conducted in Western Europe indicates that, this vice is still high in some countries (Fajnzylber, et al., 2000). However, in countries such as Germany and England, violent crimes have reduced significantly in the last ten years. This therefore means that, the perceptions that exists in other countries describing youths, as criminal section of population does not exist in Germany and England. Other countries such as Sweden have on the other hand encountered noticeable rise in violent crime among youths and juveniles. A study that was conducted in Sweden in 2010 from official crime statistic indicates that, crime cases is increasing at an alarming rate compared to other developed countries in the world that are demonstrating recommendable improvement. Researchers have therefore attributed the increased violent crimes in some countries with shift of the responsibilities of managing violent cases from the conventional informal means to modern formal means. Families in modern society are playing very limited role in controlling crimes among family members. Instead, these responsibilities have been transferred to state entities such police officers and prison facilities (CARICOM Regional Task Force on Crime and Security, 2002). Modern scholars have as well referred their study on violent crimes as contextual constructivism that is a compromise between strict constructivism and objectivism. As explained by many modern scholars, as opposed to objectivism, contextual constructivism does not talk about the nature of modern violent crimes but seeks to examine the root causes and impact of the violent crime in the society. On the other hand, the analysis on the manner in which the identified social problem is legitimized, maintained, and constructed forms an integral part of their study. Modern social experts have also condemned conventional sociologists for acknowledging the subjective aspects of violent crime without undertaking any testable research. Moreover, constructivists have faced critics from other scholars for purely focusing on rhetoric without understanding the meaning of the identified rhetoric. Therefore, the existing differences between strict constructivism and contextual constructivism are based on social and cultural contextualisation of the perception that surrounds violent crimes in the society (Darby, 2006) Groups that are involved in violent crimes Various organisation and entities have as well undertaken various roles in the attempt of reducing violent crimes especially among youths in the modern society. Although initially, schools were presumed to be the main causes of increased cases of violent in the society, considerable effort have been made to transform this institutions into violent protection institutions. Schools were initially characterised by extensive vandalism, harassment, and violence. As a result of this, violence in school have received more attention than usual from sociologists and legal experts. Increased focus in public schools is associated with school related murder as well as juvenile violence in schools (Barro, & Lee, 2006). The right of teachers and school administrators to intervene in conflict situations have also raised attention among scholars. According to the available researches, although schools have a critical role in reducing violent crimes in the society, the manner in which teacher intervene in violent situations have significantly increased this vice in the society. According to many scholars, corporal punishment is to a great extent ineffective ways of dealing with violent crime in learning institution. The adoption of more effective means is therefore very critical and essential. To counter corporal punishment in schools that result to increased case of violent crimes among juvenile and youths, government institutions, legal entities, and non-government organizations have formulated policies to minimise corporal punishment in any social settings. Although their initiative have played a considerable role, their intervention measures is described a reactive intervention and therefore ineffective. Government agencies and non-government organisations intervenes after an extreme cases have taken place or when an issues have been labelled as social problem by other members of the society. Critics have as well argued that, due to the reactive intervention measures that are taken by the concerned entities, violence in schools is not the central concerns among players (Zohoori, et al., 2002). Media have as well been critical players in the fight against violent crimes in the society. Various journalists have written endless articles describing the current trend and impact of violent crimes. As describe by many media entities, violent crimes has resulted to moral panic in a considerable number of modern societies. Such severe cases including murder of very prominent personnel have raised hated debate in media concerning the current nature of violent crimes in the society. Media in many parts of the world have linked the current increase in violent crime in the society with some emerging social vices. According to media, violent crimes have been perceived to be beyond victim of poor upbringing and complication environment to being a super-predator. To counter the vice, media entities have launched various programs to sensitise the public on the dangers that is linked to engaging in violent crimes. Media entities are as well educating members of the public on the most effective measures essential in minimising violent crimes in the society. However, some professionals have criticised media ways of reporting violent crimes. Instead of condemning violent crimes in the society, some media is presumed to be encouraging and supporting crime cases in the society. Media also increases social emotion in the society that results into increased violence in the society. From a sociological point of view, increased reporting of social vice transforms the vice into a morality in the society. Personal Perspective Based on the available information and research findings, it is my stand that, violent crime is a common state of affair in the society. In regard to this, it is the responsibility of everyone in the society to play his/her role in the fight against violent crimes in the society. Violent crimes in the society have played a very regrettable role in increasing cases of pre-mature deaths in the society. Legislatures and other government agencies have the responsibility of structuring and formulating practical policies and regulations that will minimise violent crime especially among youths and juvenile section of the population. Corporal punishment in schools is also not a solution to increasing violence in the society. Instead, corporal punishment increases violent crimes in the society. Teachers and school administrators should therefore adopt more productive mean of disciplining children in schools and other social settings. It is therefore my feeling that, reactive intervention have tremendously failed in dealing with emerging social issues. Therefore, government agencies, non-government organizations, and other players ought to take a proactive role in reducing violent crimes in the society. In their reporting, media should also minimise biases that could increase cases of violent crimes in the society. Conclusion In the light of the above analysis, it is clear that, violent crime is a very critical social problem that requires immediate intervention. Despite being increased by environmental factors, other emerging factors have largely increased cases of violent crimes. Moreover, some of the existing intervention measures as well as organization contribution in the society have also played a very regrettable role in increasing violent crimes. Media and other entities have also played a very essential role in minimising violent crimes in the society. However, despite playing a substantial role, these organizations have also contributed in advancing violent crimes in the society. Therefore, in order to deal with the current ever-increasing violent crime it is the responsibility of all players to ensures the most effective intervention measures is taken to deal with the vice. References Barro, R. and Lee J.W. (2006). International Measures of Schooling Years and Schooling Quality. American Economic Review 86(2): 218-23. Becker, G. (2008). Crime and Punishment: an Economic Approach. The Journal of Political Economy, 76(2): 169-217. Blum, R.W. & Ireland, M., (2004). Reducing Risk, Increasing Protective Factors: Findings from the Caribbean Youth Health Survey. Journal of Adolescent Health, (35): 493- 500. CARICOM Regional Task Force on Crime and Security. (2002). Report on Crime and Security. Retrieved March 27, 2013 from http://www.caricom.org/jsp/community/regional_issues/crime_and_security_task_for ce_report_2002.pdf Darby. F. (2006). Background Paper on Criminal Justice in Jamaica. Washington, D.C.: World Bank. Fajnzylber, P. et al. (2000). Crime and Victimization: an Economic Perspective. Sociology Journal 1, 219-278. Zohoori, N. et al. (2002). Non-fatal Violence-Related injuries in Kingston, Jamaica: a Preventable Drain on Resources. Injury Control and Safety Promotion, 9(4):255–262. Read More