Why Is It That Most People Do Not Engage in Criminal Activities - Essay Example

WHY IS IT THAT MOST PEOPLE DO NOT ENGAGE IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES?’ CRITICALLY DISCUSS THIS QUESTION WITH REFERENCE TO CONTROL THEORIES By Name of the Class Name of the Professor Name of the School City, State 19 July 2014 Introduction Control theories use a different approach than other theories, to help explain why people engage in crimes. There many theorists, who emerged in the last half of the 20th century, and with the modern versions of control theories, there has been a focus on restraining factors in human personalities that prevent them from committing crimes. Control theories tend to answer why some people conform to certain acts and points out that people have their innate weaknesses, which put them at a point of temptation. Hence, the aim is not seeking what really drives some people into crimes, but establishing why the majority do not commit to criminal lives considering they all have needs. According to Coser, “control theory focuses on a persons relationships to their agents of socialization and studies how effective bonding with such authority figures translates into bonding with society, hence keeping people out of trouble with the law” (n.d., p. 3). The theories assist in explaining the reduction in youths and juvenile delinquency in different states around the world. To tackle youth crimes in England, there numerous prevention and reduction strategies formulated to reinforce protection factors. They buffer young people against criminal engagement and are based on interaction, affectionate relationship, and bonds right from the school, families and community level among others, with people “who are positive minded and models of pro-social behaviors” (Ross et al, 2011, p. 13). These theories are central in explaining their desistance in close association with their socialization agencies. Theory of Internal and External Control People grow old in close association with certain groups that influence certain behavior and attitude towards specific acts. Even as children are reared into adults, they are socialized to accept specific ways of life, whose detachment would bring a sense of discomfort among them. Based on the internal control theory, Nye’s approach towards it implied that, “youths’ conscious or sense of guilt prevents them from engaging in delinquent acts” (Akers, 1999, p. 81). For example, it is vital that minors in the UK accept the moral values and norms of their close families and other social groups they belong to, so that they can conform to the moral standards. When these standards are internalized, they play a big role in their psychological functioning and decision making. In their lives, they may not need to be told what is expected of them in situations that test their moral convictions, because they can be able to pass judgment effectively in each of their actions. For teenagers brought up in religious families where alcohol intake is not an option, refraining from alcoholism is a value high held in such families, where the children have to accept and internalize it. Going against such a value or culture of the family would make them suffer guilt for failure to exercise personal control. Violation of such internalized moral standards or norms or cultures, make people experience discomfort due to the existence of the guilt conscience within them. The moral codes internalized by people from their social groups become their internal means of control and prohibit them from engaging in criminal activities. Tackling anti-social behavior, especially among youths cannot be left to the parents alone; it requires intervention from schools and at critical points, the involvement of the criminal justice system. Children would not engage in delinquent behaviors within their neighborhoods simply because they comprehend the consequences of their actions. The external control theory holds that external application of social sanction (reward and punishment for conformity and deviance respectively) controls over people’s behavior. While grounding teenagers in the UK could be the trend, physical beatings are allowed in places like Africa, to prevent them from repeating criminal acts, whether in schools or at homes. Similarly, universities and colleges in the UK have their own developed rules that students should adhere to. Failures to this, there are measures taken against violation of rules. Other than rewarding students for moral and exemplary performances, sanctions like suspension and expulsion are punishments accorded to students for intolerable misconducts and crimes of varying degrees. Students hence refrain from behaviors that seem compelling though wrong and that may lead them to such sanctions, which may cost their education or lives. For example, foreign students or persons working in the UK have to ensure they act according to the law of the land. Otherwise, they risk having their studies terminated or getting deported. Based on the UK Border Act of 2007 in section 32, the secretary of state has the authority to make a deportation order for non-British citizens “convicted in the country of an offense and sentences to either a period of imprisonment of at least 12 months or a period of imprisonment of any duration for a particularly serious offence” (inbrief.co.uk, n.d.). This means that foreigners in UK have to refrain from engaging in criminal activities for their safety. Learning institutions have been collaborating with the law enforcement agencies to suppress people’s engagement in crimes, by invoking tougher institutional penalties and regulations for criminals. So far, sanctions remain important to maintain discipline in the neighborhoods and learning institutions and motivate others to continue refraining from criminal activities. Social Bonding Theory It is a widely accepted theory, especially for its contribution in explaining delinquency. The theory argues that every individual has the capacity practice certain deviant behaviors that could develop into serious criminal behavior if left unattended. Very similar behaviors in people’s lives right from their childhood demonstrate the human nature that can only be shaped into non-criminal behavior through the social bonds in the societies. Children show greedy, selfish and aggressive behaviors when they want something; these are the innate human behaviors that have to be controlled least they lead them into serious crimes in their future. Based on Hirschi’s approach, it is these “bonds that people form to pro-social values, pro-social people and pro-social institutions that end up controlling their behaviors when they are tempted to engage in criminal acts” (sagepub.com, n.d., p. 58). Hence most people would end draw further from crime engagements due to the strong bonds they develop to the societies. It is possible for delinquent teenagers, youths and adults including those out of prison on parole to adopt and uphold convectional behaviors from the society through bonds. This is achieved in four ways; through attachment to others, commitment to conformity, involvement and finally, belief (sagepub.com, n.d.). The UK government in association with the learning institutions and sports department has made a tremendous effort in supporting minors and youths away from negative social activities through organized sports. Since the Labor party election in 1997, there was an ongoing sports program for ‘at risk youths’, all the way to the 2012 London Olympics where many people spoke publicly over how sporting involvement helped them avoid criminal activities (Carmichael, n.d.). This demonstrates how people’s involvement in pro-social activities can assist them spend lesser and ultimately no time in unlawful behaviors. Similarly, children and youths who have developed close attachments and relationships with their parents, teachers, among other people who display pro-social attitudes and behaviors towards life, develop closer social bonds and experience greater levels of social control. People also strive to commit themselves in doing what is right and focus on what they could gain after investing their energies in doing that. Because of the developed bond in the commitment, they are not ready to risk its value for criminal conducts. This could be reputation in a specific professional that pushes them to conform and remain in the convectional ways of life. Finally, those people with strong convictions over the rules or norms and cultures of the society that are line with the law are less likely to engage in criminal behaviors, because of the importance they attach to them. Self-control Theory It is a recent theory that focuses on socialization for self-control. This theory posits that parenting roles serve a greater role in instilling and teaching children to exercise self-control in the development period. Those with low self-control are at risk of engaging in criminality. For example, the behavior of youths in window shopping is quite tempting, but how many can with stand what they see and refrain from breaking in? It is because of the immediate gratification that teenagers and youths would seek alternative means to get what they want even, if it means through criminal conduct. People with low self-control are more prone to committing crime. According to Madon, crime in the “theory occurs through the following process:(1) an impulsive personality to (2) lack of self-control to (3) the withering of social bonds to (4) the opportunity to commit crime and delinquency to (5) deviant behaviour” (2010). There are many teenagers and youths within neighborhoods of the urban areas and streets in UK, who demonstrate characteristics of people who suffer from low self-control, based on their imprudent behaviors. They not only engage in street pick pocketing, snatching, and frequent fights, but also in behaviors like gambling which are as a result of need to fulfill their non-delayed gratification. High self-control allows people to have a second thought and control their desires to prevent them from engaging in crime. Conclusion Criminals and potential offenders in the UK can better their lives and keep off from crimes by seeking various ways to control and delay their gratifications. It is possible to join the majority of those who do not engage in criminal activities by ensuring they develop strong bonds with pro-social people, values, and institutions that promote convectional behaviors, exercise greater self-control, accept and internalize norms that support internal means of control, and adhere to rules and laws. This way, they can live their lives free of crime. References Akers, R. L., 1999. Criminological Theories: Introduction and Evaluation. New York: Routledge Camichael, D., n.d Youths Sport Vs Youth Crime: Evidence that Youths engaged in Organized Sports are not likely to participate in Criminal Activities. [online]Available at: [Accessed 19 July 2014]. Coser, L., n.d. Crime Theories. [online]Available at: [Accessed 19 July 2014]. inbrief.co.uk, n.d. Deportation from the UK: Deportation or Removal.[online] Available at: [Accessed 19 July 2014]. Madon, N., 2010. Review of the Roots of Youth Violence: Literature Reviews Volume 5, Chapter 12: Social Control and Self-Control Theories. [online]Available at: [Accessed 19 July 2014]. Ross, A., Duckworth, K., Smith, D. J., Wyness, G. and Schoon, I., 2011. Prevention and Reduction: A Review of strategies for intervening early to prevent or reduce youth crime and Anti-social Behavior. [online]Available at: [Accessed 19 July 2014]. sagepub.com, n.d. Key Idea: Hirschis Social Bond/ Social Control Theory. [online]Available at: [Accessed 19 July 2014]. Read More