The morality of the death penalty has been debated across cultures and in many time periods. In the United States, capital punishment has been used since colonial times (CQ Researcher). It has been argued that the use of capital punishment greatly deters citizens from committing crimes such as murder. Many people’s greatest fear is death; therefore, if they know how serious the consequence is for their action they are less likely to commit a crime. It is amoral to not properly punish a person who has committed heinous crimes. In the United States, committing murder is considered a heinous crime and in many states the death penalty is allowable. I agree that the death penalty should be used in murder convictions. In addition, I argue that
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Rape and other forms of sexual assault have broad-reaching effects on many levels, including basic needs, physical health, and mental health. Everyone responds to trauma differently. But in many studies it is shown that victims of rape suffer many psychological effects (RAINN). Victims of rape are included in one of the highest percentages of people who at some time do experience some form of depression. Depression could also lead to substance abuse. Rape victims are twenty-six times more likely to have two or more major serious drug abuse problems (RAINN). Due to the psychological effects of being raped, victims often resort to substance abuse. Survivors resort to substance use to feel better, numb or escape the pain, and because they suffer confusion or self-consciousness about the experience. Many rape victims experience flashbacks. Some flashbacks are mild and brief, while others may be powerful and last a long time. This re-experience of the trauma often leaves the individual feeling anxious, scared, and/or powerless. It can also trigger emotions that were felt at the time of the trauma. Since flashbacks can be triggered out of nowhere victims are left with flashbacks and no way to stop triggering them. 13 times more likely than non-crime victims to have attempted suicide (RAINN). Since rape …show more content…
Some, however, have argued against capital punishment in all cases. In particular, Justice John Paul Stevens has argued in Supreme Court cases on the death penalty that subsequent statistical data does not support the deterrent argument raised by supports of the death penalty (CQ Researcher, pg.969). Others like Richard Dieter concur. Dieter cites additional evidence that states that have already outlawed the death penalty have witnessed a reduction in the number of murder cases. This was accomplished through better community policing and other measures. (CQ Researcher) Nonetheless, as Kent Scheidegger has put forth, the population remains in support of the death penalty. It is common sense, Scheidegger argues, that the death penalty remains a deterrent. (CQ Researcher) Scheidegger provides the example of the recent Jennifer Hawke-Petit murder in Connecticut to illustrate how some crimes are so horrible that nothing short of the death penalty will serve justice for the family. (CQ Researcher). Opponents of the death penalty say nothing in response to crimes so heinous and gruesome that any normal person would find it hard to agree that the murderer should be allowed to continue to live. When one commits heinous murders, he/she also forfeits their claim to a right to
Rape and other forms of sexual assault have broad-reaching effects on many levels, including basic needs, physical health, and mental health. Everyone responds to trauma differently. But in many studies it is shown that victims of rape suffer many psychological effects (RAINN). Victims of rape are included in one of the highest percentages of people who at some time do experience some form of depression. Depression could also lead to substance abuse. Rape victims are twenty-six times more likely to have two or more major serious drug abuse problems (RAINN). Due to the psychological effects of being raped, victims often resort to substance abuse. Survivors resort to substance use to feel better, numb or escape the pain, and because they suffer confusion or self-consciousness about the experience. Many rape victims experience flashbacks. Some flashbacks are mild and brief, while others may be powerful and last a long time. This re-experience of the trauma often leaves the individual feeling anxious, scared, and/or powerless. It can also trigger emotions that were felt at the time of the trauma. Since flashbacks can be triggered out of nowhere victims are left with flashbacks and no way to stop triggering them. 13 times more likely than non-crime victims to have attempted suicide (RAINN). Since rape …show more content…
Some, however, have argued against capital punishment in all cases. In particular, Justice John Paul Stevens has argued in Supreme Court cases on the death penalty that subsequent statistical data does not support the deterrent argument raised by supports of the death penalty (CQ Researcher, pg.969). Others like Richard Dieter concur. Dieter cites additional evidence that states that have already outlawed the death penalty have witnessed a reduction in the number of murder cases. This was accomplished through better community policing and other measures. (CQ Researcher) Nonetheless, as Kent Scheidegger has put forth, the population remains in support of the death penalty. It is common sense, Scheidegger argues, that the death penalty remains a deterrent. (CQ Researcher) Scheidegger provides the example of the recent Jennifer Hawke-Petit murder in Connecticut to illustrate how some crimes are so horrible that nothing short of the death penalty will serve justice for the family. (CQ Researcher). Opponents of the death penalty say nothing in response to crimes so heinous and gruesome that any normal person would find it hard to agree that the murderer should be allowed to continue to live. When one commits heinous murders, he/she also forfeits their claim to a right to