SOC 215 Out of Class Assignment: Crime Trends and Patterns

Crime trends and patterns
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Several factors influence the trends and patterns of crimes. There have been growing concerns of crimes committed by offenders under the age of 18. The young people are susceptible of committing drug crimes, because they are less likely to be charged with high penalties. Furthermore, the ability of getting quick cash makes young people willing to engage in drug trade. In addition, male teens are noted to engage in more criminal activities than female teens. Peer pressure and peer approval of antisocial behavior has been linked to young people criminal behavior. However, it is argued that when young people start associating with friends who object to the antisocial behavior it helps to restrain the criminal behavior. Moreover, chances of young people to engage in criminal activities increases when they have slight contact with their parents. Significant events in adults’ life such as marriage and employment are noted to encourage adults to desist from crime. Nonetheless, adults who possess low level of education and who live in poor families are at a high risk of committing crime (Hayman, 2011).
Race contributes in the crime trends and patterns. Crime statistics and victim reviews suggest that blacks have higher crime rates than the whites. Conversely, personal reported crimes are contradictory with the crime statistics and victim reviews by showing low crime rates among blacks. Hispanics are noted to have higher crime rates than whites. Furthermore, both crime statistics and personal reported crimes suggest higher crime rates for Native Americans than for whites. Nonetheless, crime statistics and personal reported crimes suggest lower crime rates for East Asians than whites. In addition, whites are suggested to have higher chances of committing white-collar crimes; however, crime statistics indicate that blacks are more likely to commit white-collar crimes, such as bribery and embezzlement than whites (Bonnet, 2012).
The United Nation Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) report on effects of economic disaster on crime argues that crime rates increase during economic crisis. The report notes that prevalence of burglary, homicide, and car theft increase when economy weakens. Moreover, bad economy results to higher rates of property crimes and burglary, since people are enticed to steal expensive items that they cannot afford (“Economic crises may trigger rise in crime,” 2012).
During good economic times, people purchase expensive items that tempt people to steal. Likewise, good economy increases the demand for drug and alcohol consumption. In addition, studies indicate a positive relationship between economic disparity and crime. It is argued that people from low income families suffer from scarce job opportunities and resources, hence leading to higher crime rates. Furthermore, the gap between the rich and poor raises crime rates through increasing law enforcement in high-income areas and neglecting low-income areas (Chang & Wu, 2012).
Education level is noted to have a significant effect on crime rates. Increase in college graduation is noted to have a considerable decrease in crime rates...