Capital punishment has been around and legal since the eighteenth century. In 1608, Captain George Kendall’s death became the first recorded execution in the new colonies. However, within the recent years, capital punishment has grown to be an extremely controversial issue among citizens in the United States. The question of whether or not the death penalty should be abolished has been an extremely controversial subject for decades. It will continue to be a hotly debated topic for years to come due to how conflicted many individuals are on the issue. Capital punishment is defined as the legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime. The death penalty has been used to execute criminals who have committed exceptionally heinous
…show more content…
Studies show that a majority of Americans, 61% of them, are in favor of the death penalty. Social conservatives favor the death penalty and want it to stay legal for numerous reasons. Many of these reasons contrast with a social liberal’s reasons due to how their opposition relies more on fact whereas a social conservative’s favor of the death penalty deals more with emotion and the idea of retribution. They believe that if an individual takes another individuals life, they deserve to die in return as punishment. Social conservatives believe in the idea of “an eye for an eye” or a “life for a life.” The concept that each person should receive what is due to them is a concept taken seriously in regards to the death penalty in social conservatives’ eyes. They want the highest form of punishment for those who commit the most cruel and heinous crimes in order for justice to prevail within our society. They also believe that it serves as a deterrent for potential criminals. Deterrence is defined as the inhibition of criminal behavior by fear, especially punishment. The death penalty is the most extreme form of punishment within the criminal justice system. Everyone fears death whether they would like to admit it or not. Keeping the death penalty legal would make a criminal think twice before they committed a heinous act if they knew their lives could potentially be at stake. Another point social conservatives bring up in regards to keeping the death penalty is how taking the life of someone who has taken the life of another gives the victims closure. Third party victims would not have to wake up every day knowing the criminal who once took away someone so close to them is alive and being taken care of in an air-conditioned prison cell. The death penalty would provide closure for those affected. They also believe that sentencing a criminal to death would be a favor to society. Who is to say that a
Studies show that a majority of Americans, 61% of them, are in favor of the death penalty. Social conservatives favor the death penalty and want it to stay legal for numerous reasons. Many of these reasons contrast with a social liberal’s reasons due to how their opposition relies more on fact whereas a social conservative’s favor of the death penalty deals more with emotion and the idea of retribution. They believe that if an individual takes another individuals life, they deserve to die in return as punishment. Social conservatives believe in the idea of “an eye for an eye” or a “life for a life.” The concept that each person should receive what is due to them is a concept taken seriously in regards to the death penalty in social conservatives’ eyes. They want the highest form of punishment for those who commit the most cruel and heinous crimes in order for justice to prevail within our society. They also believe that it serves as a deterrent for potential criminals. Deterrence is defined as the inhibition of criminal behavior by fear, especially punishment. The death penalty is the most extreme form of punishment within the criminal justice system. Everyone fears death whether they would like to admit it or not. Keeping the death penalty legal would make a criminal think twice before they committed a heinous act if they knew their lives could potentially be at stake. Another point social conservatives bring up in regards to keeping the death penalty is how taking the life of someone who has taken the life of another gives the victims closure. Third party victims would not have to wake up every day knowing the criminal who once took away someone so close to them is alive and being taken care of in an air-conditioned prison cell. The death penalty would provide closure for those affected. They also believe that sentencing a criminal to death would be a favor to society. Who is to say that a