Does being abused as a child increase the likelihood of individuals becoming criminals in later life? The World Health Organization (2014) defines child abuse as “the maltreatment of a child under 18 years of age, and includes all natures of physical and/or emotional ill treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence and commercial or other exploitation” (Para. 1). Children being exposed to domestic violence are also a form of maltreatment (WHO, 2014). The following debate will discuss the issue of whether or not victims of childhood abuse are more likely to be involved in criminality. Three arguments will be discussed for each opposing view.
The first three arguments will be discussed support the notion of childhood abuse increasing the likelihood of later criminality: Firstly, the correlation found between childhood physical abuse and anti-social behavior in later life; secondly, the role of the environment in influencing criminality; and thirdly, the relationship between neglect and future criminality.
One of the many potential long-term consequences of child abuse is anti-social ...
Parke, Ross D. "Effects of Parental Incarceration on Young Children." Parke, Ross D. "Effects of Parental
Children who are victims of abuse are likely to display aggressive and demanding behaviors. Being a victim of abuse may interfere with how the child may view themselves, their self-worth and their well-being. In attempts to explain why delinquent is a result of abuse the social learning theory is used. It is explained that delinquent and antisocial behaviors are
Within the past decade there has been a wide range of research and evidence available based on both sides of the nature or nurture debate. Along with further research that identifies a number of determinants that have some form of influence towards criminal behavior and activity. This researc...
Straus, M. A. (1991). Discipline and Deviance: physical punishment of children and violence and other crime in adulthood. Social Problems, 38(2), 133-154.
Child maltreatment is a widespread issue that affects thousands of children every year. There are four common types of child maltreatment; sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. All of these types of abuse are very serious and can have many consequences for the children and families. The most common consequence of severe child maltreatment is the removal of that child from their home (Benbenishty, Segev, Surkis, and Elias, 2002). Most social workers trying to determine the likelihood of removal evaluate the type and severity of abuse, as well as the child’s relationship with their parents (Benbenishty et al., 2002). When children are removed from their homes there are many options of alternative housing. The places they are allowed to live are a relative’s home, foster home, or a group home. In a study of children removed from their homes, 68% went to a foster home rather than a relative or another form of alternative housing (Faller, 1991). Reunification with a parent is the most common goal that is set forth by Child Protective Services even though recurrent abuse is likely to happen based upon the prior type of abuse and the age of the child (Connell et al., 2009). Child maltreatment is becoming a prevalent problem that has numerous consequences for both the child and family.
2015). From the way a person talks, to how they view the world around them, this is all individually constructed, and therefore so is crime. Research has proved a strong relationship between whether a child has been abused, and their likeliness for criminal behavior at some point in their life. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, 15% of all Male inmates in prison experienced some form of abuse as a child, the number grows to an astounding 37% for women in the system (Prather, Walter and Jeannie A. Golden. 2009). This forms a strong case for criminals who experienced this type of abuse and their reasoning for turning to crime (Prather, Walter and Jeannie A. Golden. 2009). Using the Interaction theory, for many of these individual’s extreme abuse was one of the first things experienced in life. They learned it from their parents or other family members, or maybe other children and teachers at school. From verbal to physical abuse, this type of interaction went on to form and become an essential part of their identity and reality. Abuse which was transformed to violence and deviancy whether to earn a living or let out rage upon another person resulting in a heinous
In today’s society, one will find that there are many different factors that go into the development of a criminal mind, and it is impossible to single out one particular cause of criminal behavior. Criminal behavior often stems from both biological and environmental factors. In many cases criminals share similar physical traits which the general population do not usually have. For example criminals have smaller brains than properly adjusted individuals. However biological reasons cannot solely be the cause of criminal behavior. Therefore, one must look to other sources as to how a criminal mind is developed. Social and environmental factors also are at fault for developing a person to the point at which they are lead to committing a criminal act. Often, someone who has committed a violent crime shows evidence of a poorly developed childhood, or the unsuitable current conditions in which the subject lives. In addition if one studies victimology which is the role that the victim plays in the crime, it is apparent that there are many different causes for criminal behavior. Through the examination of biological factors, in addition to the social and environmental factors which make up a criminal mind, one can conclude that a criminal often is born with traits common to those of criminals, it is the environment that exist around them that brings out the criminal within them to commit indecent acts of crime.
When you first spot someone being socially disruptive at a young age, you would assume that they would turn out to be aggressive. This paper will explore children with aggressive and delinquent family backgrounds, and their likelihood of becoming future criminals. It will also cover a few theories of how to prevent future criminal offences. There is always the possibility that different types of aggression could end up having multiple different outcomes. There are two different ways to describe aggression, indirect aggression and direct aggression. Indirect aggression is simply using aggressive words and tones. Direct aggression is described as using physical actions towards someone. (Benson, 2002). Now, the real question is: do children that
Like the researchers of the past, I also learned to consider all of the contributing factors as it relates to criminality and what causes crime. In my profession, I have always been aware of crime families, juvenile delinquency, and the impact of an individual's social life as it relates to their development. After several weeks in this course will be able to recognize, applied, address principles concerning crime causation. I tend to show favoritism the social structure theories. I believe that those ideas are so important in trying to seek the origin of juvenile delinquency.
There is significant longitudinal evidence that behavioral characteristics that can be seen in late childhood persists into adulthood. These behavioral characteristics have also been seen to persist for large stretch of adult life as well (Caspi, Harrington, Milne, Amell, Theodore, and Moffitt, 2003). Quite contested, though of significant importance, is the notion that criminal propensity is amongst the behavioral characteristics that develop in childhood and persist to adulthood (Wright, Tibbetts, and Daigle, 2008).
Some persons commit crime despite their life situation; for others, it is the reverse, but multiple factors generate crime. Individuals are less likely to offend repetitively when their early childhood is dominated by consistent and caring parenting and troublesome behavior when found school, is met with solutions. Crime tends to be lower in countries where there are more social benefits and fewer children in relative poverty; Crime tends to be higher because of opportunities such as those created by persons being away from their residences, having desirable objects that others do not
This study includes the social and emotional setting of the criminal from a young age to their adult life. This also involves the examination of their ecological influences such as their economic status, heredities, family structure, and learning disabilities. In addition, criminal psychologists establish the mental state in which the criminal was in at the time which the delinquency occurred. This is important because understanding their mental state can help psychologists understand the person’s motives for committing this crime or precise act. Criminal psychology is vital in determining whether the person was in control of their mental abilities during the act of the crime, which is important in cases where senselessness is a defense from responsibility for their unlawful
Loeber, R and Farrington, D (2000). Young children who commit crime: Epidemiology, developmental origins, risk factors, early interventions, and policy implications. Development and Psychopathology, , pp 737-762.
Researchers show that a good percentage of adult criminals committed their first offence in their childhood, long before their first conviction. They could manage to escape notice by committing the first offence, which encouraged them to commit further offences till they were apprehended, tried and convicted. However not until we know the causes of delinquency, can measures for its prevention be suggested.
There is no one certain theory, regarding juvenile delinquency, that can completely distinguish all the determining factors that makes youth turn to crime; although, the study of all these theories and ideas can bring criminologist one step closer to uncovering the truth about juvenile delinquency. Only the further understanding of juvenile delinquency can help the prevention of future juvenile offenders. This paper will focus on the individual factors of delinquency, as well as the social elements, and provide an explanation of how the combination of the two elements may cause children to engage in criminal activity.