Racial Discrimination, Ethnic-Racial Socialization, and Crime, Essay Example

How do you believe criminals began their careers in crime? Many people believe that this occurs out of desperation or simply a lack of understanding of the law. However, researchers at the Northwestern University School of Law have determined that crime is transmitted through families both in terms of their genetics and inherited patterns of socialization. Ultimately, policymakers appear to believe that factors are related to the socioeconomic statuses of a majority of criminals. Individuals from poorer communities have been shown to be statistically more likely to commit a robbery or violent crime (Jrank, n.d.). However, it is essential for sociologists to gain an understanding of this phenomenon from the “criminal” perspective. It is not possible to rid the community of such crimes if no efforts are taken to understand the motivations behind them.

According to researchers at the Northwestern University School of Law, “Studies comparing biological with sociological father-son pairs in terms of crime show more similarities within the biological pairs” (McCord, 1991). As a consequence, it is likely that many genetic factors are responsible for contributing to the aggression observed in these types of crimes, but it is environmental factors that bring these traits out. The fact that family members serve as role models is a contributor to this behavior. Overall, it is important to approach this issue without an ethnocentric view. Despite the genetic factors that some criminals have been shown to share, the exhibition of criminal behavior is related to a drive for survival. Individuals enter gangs for protection and steal money for food. This is more necessary for individuals from a low socioeconomic background compared to those from wealthier upbringings. Overall, it appears that criminals are targeted more for their status in society than their behavior (Rowe, n.d.).

It is important to make criminologists aware that the crime patterns they are attempting to identify are being made a reality purely because of their observations and the ascribed statuses of others (Burt, 2012). When people are treated like criminals, they will become criminals because they feel that they have no other choice for survival. It is therefore important to treat all people equally in order to foster the development of positive results, creating a safer community for all.

References

Burt CH. (2012). Racial Discrimination, Ethnic-Racial Socialization, and Crime: A Micro-sociological Model of Risk and Resilience. Am Sociol Rev., 77(4): 648–677.

Jrank. (n.d.). Family Relationships and Crime – General Socialization And Crime. Retrieved from http://law.jrank.org/pages/1177/Family-Relationships-Crime-General-socialization- crime.html

McCord J. (1991). The Cycle of Crime and Socialization Practices. Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology,82(1).

Rowe S. (n.d.). Socialisation & Crime. Retrieved from http://www.podology.org.uk/#/socialisation-crime/4574862533