(Newswire.net — May 3, 2023) — Crime is a serious threat. Though crime rates have been on the decline overall, there were still an estimated 1.2 million violent crimes across the U.S. in 2019. That same year, there were also an estimated 6.9 million property crimes.
It’s natural to wonder why people commit these crimes. After all, many of them are punishable via prison time, fines, or worse.
The truth is that there are many reasons people commit crimes. That’s why there’s an entire field of study called criminology dedicated to this question.
In this article, we’ll go over seven of the top reasons why people break the law:
1. Biological risk factors
Unfortunately, some people have biological predispositions toward criminal behavior. That’s not to say they commit crimes by no fault of their own. However, they may be more susceptible to behavior that leads to crime, like anger or aggression.
Similarly, some are predisposed to alcoholism due to their parent’s substance abuse. So whether hereditary or not, certain traits can lead some toward crime.
2. Adverse childhood experiences
Your upbringing can have a major impact on how likely you are to commit a crime. For example, if you were a victim or witness of domestic abuse, you are more likely to exhibit similar behavior toward your own children.
Of course, this isn’t necessarily the case. Some heroically break the generational cycles of violence. But there are others who, unfortunately, mimic the criminal behavior of their parents as they become adults.
3. Negative peer pressure
In some cases, people are encouraged to commit crimes as a result of the environment they are in. For example, if you live in a rough part of town where you regularly witness a crime, you may be more likely to commit a crime yourself. Or if your peer group engages in criminal activity, you are more likely to follow suit. As they say, you are who you surround yourself with.
4. Substance abuse
According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), half of people 12 and older have used illicit drugs at least once, and there have been 700,000 drug overdose deaths in the U.S. since 2000.
Needless to say, drug abuse is a serious problem in our country. What’s worse is it’s highly linked with other crimes. Drugs can impair your judgment and addict you such that you are willing to commit crimes you wouldn’t otherwise.
5. Poverty and lack of education
Another major factor behind crime is poverty and lack of education. Those without educational resources often lack social mobility, meaning they are stuck being poor. This can lead to increased stress from trying to make ends meet, motivating some to resort to crimes such as theft.
From there, it’s easier to follow a dangerous path toward committing other, more serious crimes.
6. Mental health issues
Like drugs, mental health challenges can make people more susceptible to committing crimes by impairing their decision-making abilities. Mental health issues are rarely the only cause behind crime. However, they can be a major component.
7. Political, religious, and other ideological beliefs
Lastly, many commit crimes in the name of ideology informed by religion or political beliefs. These could be beliefs they inherited from their parents or beliefs they adopted from others. Either way, they can be extremely powerful and lead some to commit terrible crimes, whether the ideology condones such crimes or not.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, there are many reasons people commit crimes, and this is by no means an exhaustive list.
In addition, criminals are rarely motivated by only one cause. It’s often a combination of many factors.
If you have been accused of a crime, be sure to get the help you need by hiring a reputable criminal defense attorney. They can help defend you in court and ensure you get the fair trial you deserve.