Question

Your criminal justice professor hands out the following scenario: John, age 14, is on an errand for his parents (who are in a lower socioeconomic class) when he decides to stop at a crafts shop and look at model cars and airplanes—a hobby he greatly enjoys. While in the store, he puts two small bottles of model paint in his pockets and leaves, but he is quickly stopped by a clerk as he attempts his escape. Explain the possible reasons for John’s actions in view of the biological, social process, and environmental criminology theories of crime discussed in this chapter.

Answer 1

I think what Joe did was sheer due to the feeling that he wanted something in life but could not afford it as his family was not that well off so he wished to get it by some short tricks. This tells a lot about the child's desires. He wanted it so much that he chose to steal even if he knew that it is ethically incorrect. Not only did he steal but also not give a second thought about any values and morals his parents wanted him to follow. He gave in to the society pressure and the belief that this would allow him to please his friends in a lot many ways than we can imagine them. That is the reaisn that they say the children need to be tamed, guided and shown the right path in all aspects of life so that they can grow up to become confident and strong individuals.