Anomie Research Paper

The motivation of criminals encompasses more than one common denominator, however, the degree of culpability and causation are within close proximity of one another. People every day engage in illicit acts for a myriad of reasons that run the gamut from white-collar crimes such as embezzling large sums of money to retail thefts. Gang related and drug-crimes that result in violence have plagued metropolitan areas throughout American. There is never any justification for taking someone’s life unless it is in self-defense, but people kill indescribably for material items or money. Is it the Americans insatiable appetite and relentless pursuit of obtaining wealth and prosperity in achieving the American dream? Unfortunately, yes. For some
Durkheim’s theory of crime is that crime is a naturally occurring phenomenon in all societies. Durkheim’s many meanings are confusing, but his research into suicide is where the term, anomie developed. There are many interpretations of Anomie and meanings. Anomie interpreted in the twenty-first century regarding criminal causation is a breakdown of an individual or group in society fraught with feeling disenfranchised and emotionally empty with not cameno to a better quality of life. Furthermore, the ambiguity and rationalization in attempting to explain anomie and its various meanings are points of contention between criminologist and sociologist. DiCristina (2016). “In Suicide, anomie, is said to foster unhappiness and anger, emotions that can drive a person to commit not only suicide but also homicide” (p. 321). According to Durkheim, these isms of emotions contribute to the causation of criminal, violent behavior, but the lack of holistic economic opportunity has been a force majeure in today’s urban violence weighing heavily on minorities disproportionately incarcerated in America. Durkheim’s theories became the foundation of the modern general strain theories. Durkheim highlights property crimes as one key motivational factor of why people commit crimes. However, opportunities not entitlements will lower a major percentage of non-violence and violent
Single parenting, income disparity, grandparents raising their children’s children, and lack of a support system in drug infested neighborhoods all contribute toward the sustained struggle resulting in a higher probability leading to violent criminal behavior. Does society cast blame on the government or societal maladies for the gap in homicides among racial-ethnic cultural groups? This question is absolute in its summation that more strain on an individual’s life result in negative emotions that lead to criminal behavior. Free will, self-accountability become diluted when factoring in the general strain theory along with historic variables. Once an individual crosses the threshold and enters into the criminal justice system, economics play a major role in whether or not they will be incarcerated. For example, the high profile case of O.J. Simpson resulted in a not-guilty verdict for allegedly killing Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman. DNA evidence presented failed to assist prosecutors in the case against O.J. Simpson. This demonstrated the efficacy and influence of fame and fortune. Moreover, assembling a dream team of attorneys along with jury nullification due to past wrongs minorities faced within the criminal justice system rendered a verdict that sent a message of the systemic economic bias of the criminal justice