Thread: Crime and its causes?

I think that in this country a major contributer to the criminal class is the lack of a moral foundation in their upbringing. I don't think it is related to "the single parent home" or anything like that I think it is more culture, lack of foundation, the parents not instilling a moral compass in their children. As an example I worked for a couple of years with this girl, she was pretty much normal, but her boyfriend was a drug dealer who had no problem stealing for cash. She treated his choice of behavior as if it were just another career option; work at McDonald's, rob people, deal drugs, cashier at Walmart etc. It never even entered her mind that his choices were morally wrong, when he ended up in jail she treated it as if it were a part of his job not the inevitable consequence of his actions. She scared me more than he did, he was fully aware of the legality and morality of his decisions (he was just greedy), for her morality didn't even connect. Her upbringing was in a semi-urban setting to middle class parents in a two income household and she had a public education from start to graduation. The really terrifying part to me is that she is just an example, I've met several other people like her, more than could be accounted for by an actual mental illness.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

I think that in this country a major contributer to the criminal class is the lack of a moral foundation in their upbringing. I don't think it is related to "the single parent home" or anything like that I think it is more culture, lack of foundation, the parents not instilling a moral compass in their children. As an example I worked for a couple of years with this girl, she was pretty much normal, but her boyfriend was a drug dealer who had no problem stealing for cash. She treated his choice of behavior as if it were just another career option; work at McDonald's, rob people, deal drugs, cashier at Walmart etc. It never even entered her mind that his choices were morally wrong, when he ended up in jail she treated it as if it were a part of his job not the inevitable consequence of his actions. She scared me more than he did, he was fully aware of the legality and morality of his decisions (he was just greedy), for her morality didn't even connect.

don't people know that robbing people and ruining them financially is morally wrong? unless you are a multinational corporation, right

Originally Posted by jockeys

don't people know that robbing people and ruining them financially is morally wrong? unless you are a multinational corporation, right

Actually thats part of the problem, I think there is a large part of a generation that has no concept of right and wrong, at least the way we were taught it.

Tim, I think you are on to something.
We are taught to "accept" more and more, until for some it is like the girl you mention. More and more actions are being proclaimed as "ok" and more and more crimes are being blamed on various things to the point the criminal is portrayed, somehow, as the victim. This do not judge people mentality does not help when the reality of right and wrong are more and more skewed.

John P.

IMHO, the problem is no more complicated than this: There are no absolutes anymore.
It is absolutely wrong to break into your neighbor's home and rob him, PERIOD. It is absolutely wrong to deal drugs, PERIOD. It is absolutely wrong to carjack another, PERIOD. It is absolutely wrong to walk into a fast food establishment and start shooting people, PERIOD.
There should be no excuses given and no sympathy for anyone who does any of these things. There are more on the list, this is just a starting place.
Society has told everyone, "It's not your fault." Advertisements have said to a lot of half-wits, "You DESERVE to live like a King" and we are all having to suffer the consequences. If you want to live like a King, maybe you should do something to be able to AFFORD to live like a King. And if you do stupid things, or commit illegal acts, IT IS YOUR FAULT!
Absolutes...we need 'em back.

And unfortunately it's not in the options.

Here it is:

Crimes are caused by the laws! That's right. If there was not a law defining certain thing as a crime it wouldn't be a crime.

So, here you have it, thank you very much

brotherJeeter-> I tend to agree with you on everything except dealing drugs, but that's only because I'm a rabid Libertarian.

I could be a good Libertarian, but for the drug dealing. That's about the only area I disagree with Libertarians on.
It is my opinion that the very least Guv'mint you can possibly get by with, is EXACTLY what you want. But I will believe until I die that NOBODY has the right to deal drugs. Not even the Government. Marijuana shouldn't be decriminalized and taxed...blah, blah, blah. That's my feeling on the matter and I'm sure there are a lot of people who feel differently. I mean no offense to them.

Perhaps slightly OT, but everybody is a potential killer.
If you think that you'd never do it, you've never really thought about it.

If you are a parent, then you'll probably agree that if there is an imminent threat to yor kids, you'd kill instinctively.

Now, killing is not autmoatically murder, but since the distinction is made based on morals / laws there are grey areas which can mean that anyone can end up being a convicted criminal.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Perhaps slightly OT, but everybody is a potential killer.
If you think that you'd never do it,

then you've never had a boss change the requirements on your yearlong project 2 weeks before the drop-dead date