The Sociological School: The Definition Of Crime

Something that could be talked about for hours is the definition of crime. Some people will give you opinions or even read you the definition straight from the dictionary. But it is such a complex question to ask. Crime in my opinion is an unlawful act committed with the worst intentions. All though “what is crime?” is such a interesting question, I think the people who commit the crime are far more interesting. Every crime has a different motive. I believe the act being committed is only a crime if the person has wrongful motives and intentions.
On the first day of class when I was asked “What is crime” I automatically knew the answer. It wasn’t even something I had to really think hard about. The answer just came to my mind and I didn 't …show more content…
One school that stood out to me was the sociological school.The Sociological school views crime as not falling under the responsibility of the individual, but instead falling under the responsibility of society. This really made me think of how everything around you affects your actions as a whole. There are so many factors to a person and their actions. How they are brought up is a big factor and also who they are surrounded by. Someone who is brought up by a single parent who is always working and is never at home can have bad influences around them. On one assignment I remember having to read an article about gang life. A lot of teens fall into the gang life because there is no one at home, making sure they stay out of trouble and the only guiding hand is of a gang. They advertise protection, money and something every teen looks for a family. Belonging to a gang is an individual 's ' choice but if you know nothing better is it a crime? Maybe if a parent payed more attention to what there children were doing kids and teens wouldn’t be sucked into that type of lifestyle. Some teens feel as if there is no other option than to turn to the gangs because they feel as if that is the best thing they can be in life. So they are pushed into committing crimes to be apart of a family. I had always felt that crime is only the individuals fault. That unless they were under the influence of drugs that they were well aware of what they were doing and did it intentionally. Coming from a warm family with siblings and a stay at home mother, I never thought of how it would be to not have any of that. To not have any guidance and to be by myself coming home to an empty house. I now could only imagine what a person would do to just feel that comfort and warmth that I felt everyday. I came from a family who taught me my worth in society and supported my dreams I wished to achieve.