“The control balance theory states control imbalances produce deviant and criminal behaviors, and has two distinct elements: the amount of control one can exercise over others and the amount of control one is subject to by others” (Siegel, Ch. 9-5b). Gypsy Blanchard was being controlled by her mother De De (Clauddine Blanchard) for a majority of her life, until she killed her sometime in June. Gypsy was controlled in various ways and was forced in a world of lies and exploitation. “She was said to chromosomal defects, muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, severe asthma, sleep apnea and eye problems” (Dean). However, when she was tested for these conditions and illnesses, her results came back negative but was still seen a wheelchair, with an oxygen
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Without a doubt, they committed a horrible act of violence and it should not go unpunished but if people knew about their abuse why didn’t anyone try helping them. Furthermore, I believe the courts should consider a person’s upbringings and childhood trauma during the prosecution stage because these victims of abuse need help, not punishment. Once these victims are being considered for execution, it is too late to take into account their childhood trauma because they have already committed a crime that can only be punished by death or life in prison. There is literally no hope for these victims of abuse because their history of abuse, is not going to make up for the crimes they commit. By using the age-graded theory, it could have prevented these boys from ever committing the crime and could have helped them with their abusive history. “The Age-Graded theory states, positive life experiences and relationships can help a person knife off from a criminal career path” (Siegel, Ch. 9-4). By having positive relationships with people, they can find someone to look up to and someone to help them through difficult times or past experiences. By having positive experiences “such as gaining employment, getting married, or joining the military create informal social control mechanisms that limit criminal behavior opportunities” (Siegel, Ch. 9-4). Therefore, positive experiences, and relationships limit criminal behavior and can potentially change people from engaging in
Without a doubt, they committed a horrible act of violence and it should not go unpunished but if people knew about their abuse why didn’t anyone try helping them. Furthermore, I believe the courts should consider a person’s upbringings and childhood trauma during the prosecution stage because these victims of abuse need help, not punishment. Once these victims are being considered for execution, it is too late to take into account their childhood trauma because they have already committed a crime that can only be punished by death or life in prison. There is literally no hope for these victims of abuse because their history of abuse, is not going to make up for the crimes they commit. By using the age-graded theory, it could have prevented these boys from ever committing the crime and could have helped them with their abusive history. “The Age-Graded theory states, positive life experiences and relationships can help a person knife off from a criminal career path” (Siegel, Ch. 9-4). By having positive relationships with people, they can find someone to look up to and someone to help them through difficult times or past experiences. By having positive experiences “such as gaining employment, getting married, or joining the military create informal social control mechanisms that limit criminal behavior opportunities” (Siegel, Ch. 9-4). Therefore, positive experiences, and relationships limit criminal behavior and can potentially change people from engaging in