Genetics and Criminal Behavior

There has been a long standing debate whether criminal behavior spawned from social or genetic factors, but until recently researchers have accepted that both can be responsible. Having genetic factors relating to mental disorders, alcoholism, and aggression can make an individual more predisposed to criminal behavior, than an individual who does not contain those genetic-criminal influences. Many criminals are diagnosed with having a mental disorder or an alcohol problem. Landsberg and Rees points out that, “The 2003 report of the National Center for Mental Health and Juvenile Justice (NCMHJJ) suggests that “70 to 80 percent are believed to have a diagnosable mental health disorder” and “at least one out of five has a serious mental disorder” (205). That percentage is extremely high and even though mental disorders do not solely originate from genetics, some of that percentage does pertain to genetics. It is also mentioned that alcohol and substance abuse disorders range from 50-70 percent in juveniles as well. “There is no single gene for Type II alcoholism but researchers have identifies several genes that may be involved, particularly those involved with neurotransmitters function such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and others. These neurotransmitters are involved in brain function and have been linked to aggression and antisocial behavior” (Anderson 113). This is why the study of genetics is relevant to the research on criminal behavior.

Having genes that are associated with criminal behavior does not mean that an individual will become a criminal. “Genes do not cause crime, they simply influence all aspects of our body, including all the chemical messengers in the body, such as hormones and neurotransmitters; these, in turn, influence behavior” (Anderson 95). It is difficult to identify if a person will inherit genetic-criminal influences, and most importantly whether or not an individual will exhibit criminal behavior. Researchers study genetic factors that are linked to criminal behavior in hopes of becoming more aware and educated on how to prevent and treat those individuals genetically predisposed to crime.

Being predisposed to the possibility of criminal behavior through genetics can not be completely safeguarded through positive environmental factors. For example, take into account adoption studies dealing with children whose biological parents have a history crime and or mental disorders. There are studies that show, that children who were adopted and raised in a positive environment can still end up displaying criminal behavior. Tehrani and Mednick refers to a case on “ How does an individual who is raised in a stable adoptive home grow up to become Jeremy Strohmeyer, the young man convicted of raping and murdering an eight-year-old girl in a Nevada casino” (1). Cases like that reaffirm the importance of studying genetics.

When both negative social and genetic factors are present it can take a turn for the worst. Substance abuse is another negative factor to consider especially when it is associated with social and genetic criminal influences. Imagine a person inheriting a mental disorder, living in a criminal breeding environment, and compensate for his/her troubles through substances abuse; what good can come from those odds? However, a positive environment, health treatment, awareness, and preventative programs can decrease the opportunity of triggering and subjecting an individual to criminal behavior.

References

Anderson, Gail S. Biological influences on Criminal Behavior. New York: Simon Fraser University, 2007.

Mednick, Sarnoff A., and Jasmine A. Tehrani. “Genetic Factors and Criminal Behavior. Federal Probation Journal.” 64:2 (2000): 1-3.

Landsberg, Gerald, and Jo Rees. “Forensic Practices and Serving Dually Diagnosed Youth Involved With the Juvenile Justice System.” Handbook of Forensic Mental Health with Victims and Offenders. Ed. David W. Springer and Albert R. Roberts. New York: Springer, 2007. 205-208.

Criminal Behavior Stems from Social Environmental Factors and Places Constraints on our Children’s Future Success

There is a battle going on everyday that is unseen by many. The battle is between at risk youth and social environmental factors that promote criminality. When oppressed by these environmental factors, constraints are put on the future of our youth. Attaining a better life style than the one they were subjected to living, is believed to be unreachable. Even the few that reach success through athletics and musical talent are not clear of criminal behavior. For example, many athletes and music artists are charged with drug abuse, drug possession, assault, weapon possession, animal cruelty, and domestic violence. Once criminal behavior is seeded in a person it is difficult to get rid of such behavioral habits.    

Social disorganization develops social environmental factors that make it difficult for our youth to attain or desire qualities that are socially acceptable and ideal. Disorganization within a community consists of high crime rates, low income families, poor parenting, low levels of education, and a lack of positive community involvement.
Family and education are two core environmental factors that can influence the direction an individual will take in life. “North Carolina Representative Anna Barnes said the legislation recognizes the school and family problems that contribute to crime and delinquency. ‘There is a pretty strong feeling among most people, legislators included, that much of youth violence stems from juveniles’ environments and early associations, she said.’” Family and education play a huge role in a child’s life. For example, one child can be more predisposed to criminal behavior than another even if the two individuals live in the same environment. Family structure and educational involvement can be the difference and the reason for a decrease in criminal behavior.

Family structure should provide the foundation for a child to learn what is morally right and wrong. A child needs guidance while growing up, so they learn how to function in society.   In the article “Sociological and Environmental Factors of Criminal Behavior” the author states that, “Socialization refers to the developmental period where the ideals of morality and socially acceptable behavior are instilled in a child”. It is apparent that many at risk youth will never encounter a period of socialization, or will instead be taught what is acceptable in their communal setting. Family is the first place children look to for love, advice, attention, and a sense of worthiness. When family plays no beneficial role in a child’s life there needs to somewhere that a child can find positive reinforcement to have a chance in braking the cycle. 

Education can be that positive reinforcement. Education is important because it creates a sense of self worth, motivation, higher standards, structure, and much more. Education is an important element in a child’s life, but it is unfortunate that educational opportunities and assistance are not equivalent in every community. If education is not promoted regardless of the intelligence of a child, he or she will not be motivated and will fall behind. Never gaining any positive qualities that education can offer. 

    Some youth are victims of their own environment. Parents should want more for their children. A better life than that of their own, but many parents are selfish, hopeless, drug addicts, or incapable of trying to manage all the burdens of a single parent in an unpromising environment. Society should want these at risk youth to obtain a quality education, so they have an opportunity to succeed in life.  Prevention is an important factor in achieving a brighter future for at risk youth, as well as decreasing criminal behavior. When there is disparity amongst opportunities for youth to succeed there are consequences. The consequences vary depending on these social environmental factors. Measures should start at home with family and education. Noticeably when that is not happening, programs and training should be available to those that can and want to prevent this damaging cycle.

References

References

             Scott Groginsky ; Jay Kroshus. State Legislatures Magazine.

“An Ounce of Prevention”. May 01, 1995. National Conference of State Legislature.

“Sociological and Environmental Factors of Criminal Behavior” 2000.

http://www.udel.edu/chem/C465/senior/fall00/GeneticTesting/enviro.htm

The importance of why criminal behavior should be studied

            Criminal behavior is a troubling issue that the world has been dealing with and will continuing to deal with for years to come. What causes criminal behavior, who is affected, and how can we prevent criminal activity? Those are some of the questions why people study criminal behavior. People believe that both genetic and environmental factors play a role in why people behave criminally.

There are personality disorders that are inheritable which can make it difficult for those individuals to function normally in a society. Some of the personality disorders that come to mind are hyperactivity, anti-social, bi-polar and schizophrenia. The effect that these personality disorders can have on a person can be so frustrating, stressful, and uncontrollable that one can only imagine not being able to free him or her self from these emotions. Sometimes the only way a person with a personality disorder can relieve him or her self is through acting out and sometimes it’s criminal; especially when environmental factors are involved as well.

   For some individuals it is difficult to comprehend that some people are predisposed to criminality. They have difficulties believing that there are contributing factors to criminal behavior because we are all entitled to free will and know right from wrong. On the other hand its like that famous Native American quote  “ Never judge a person until you have walked a mile in their moccasins”. Imagine living in a high poverty area with no family structure and attending probably one of the lowest funded and tested schools. Surrounded by drug dealers, prostitutes, gang members, and thieves what chance does our youth have escaping becoming a product of their environment? At a young age our youth are being stigmatized which results in generating a self fulfilling prophecy of criminal behavior. 

 It is understandable for people to see criminal behavior as being one’s choice, but it must be recognized that there are many factors that can also contribute to a person becoming a criminal. Youth are more susceptible to these contributing factors of criminal behavior due to individual, family, school, peer-related, and community and neighborhood factors as mentioned in Critical Issues in Crime and Justice Thought, Policy, and Practice by Mary Maguire and Dan Okada (p. 70). If these factors were studied by those who believe that people commit crime for pure self indulgence they will find that criminal behavior is sometimes a way of life or survival for others due to the criminal activity that constantly surrounds them . Decreasing the risk factors that lead to criminality amongst our youth is crucial in the effort to prevent criminal behavior. There needs to be more youth impacted programs that employ strong minded individuals that earnestly want to engage in the problem of today’s contributing factors of criminal behavior.