K. Merton (1957) posed the question; ‘at a time when society as a whole is becoming more affluent, why do crime rates continue to rise?’ This still appears to be the case in today’s society. Is it, as the media portrays, that we now have an underclass that are unwilling to conform to social norms?
Is it that over time our society per se is failing?
It is easy to condemn a particular group or class for the ailing of our society without looking more closely at the root causes of crime. If for example we look at burglary, those that commit these crimes are likely to come from a disadvantaged group; they are more likely to live in poverty, without the means i.e educational achievements, employment opportunities etc, to escape. Is it therefore a failing of society that there are segments of our society that are let down at the very beginning of their lives?
Are this very same group frustrated with the inequalities they face or the bleakness of their situation, so much so that they become defiant of the social norms. It may be as we become more affluent that those without the means of becoming part of the affluent have bred a sub culture that believes it’s ok to just take.
Relating to burglary once more, this can also be an acquisitive crime, one that can feed a drug or alcohol related habit. With drug and alcohol misuse becoming an ever expanding problem and law enforcement being unable to cope, burglary is set to keep rising in areas of the country where only drug barons are winning.
When pondering on all of the above, I become overwhelmed. Is it need or greed that keeps the crime rates rising? Have our values deteriorated over time? Are we more concerned with gain than basic humanity? Are we choosing to ignore the root causes of crime, poverty and social exclusion? Do we spend too much time trying to assist those that commit crime that we forget another group - the victims of crime?
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