Lifestyle Theories Vs Deviant Place The

Lifestyle Theories Vs Deviant Place Theory

Allison Kervi
September 24, 2014
Criminology
Core Assessment

Outline:
Title: Lifestyle Theories vs. Deviant Place Theory
Thesis: In my paper I will be discussing two criminal behavior theories, Lifestyle Theories vs Deviant Place Theory. I will discuss the historical background of these theories. I will talk about the causes of these theories. And lastly I will talk about prevention and punishment of these two theories.
i. Lifestyle Theories
a. Historical Background
1. Crime is not a random occurrence; rather, it is a function of the victim’s lifestyle
b. Causes
1. High Risk Lifestyle
2. College Lifestyle
3. Criminal Lifestyle
c. Prevention and Punishment
1. Job
2. Stricture Punishments ii. Deviant Place Theories
a. Historical Background
1. The view that victimization is primarily a function of where people live.

b. Causes
1. Poverty homes
2. Densely Populated
3. Highly transient neighborhoods
c. Prevention and Punishment
1. Stronger Protection
2. Build communities up iii. Conclusion

Abstract

So is someone turned into a criminal by the way they live their life or by where they live. Lifestyle theory believes that one turns into a criminal by the acts they make in their lifestyle such as using drugs or even drinking. Deviant place theory suggests that a person becomes a criminal by the places they live, such as living in low incomes cities that has little to no protection. Could both of these theories work together?

Lifestyle Theories Vs Deviant Place theory Does someone becomes a criminal by their choice of living or by the places a person lives in? In my paper I will be discussing two criminal behavior theories, Lifestyle Theories vs Deviant Place Theory. I will discuss the historical background of these theories. I will talk about the causes of these theories. And lastly I will talk about prevention and punishment of these two theories. Some criminologists believe that people may become criminals due to their lifestyle increases their exposure to criminal offenders. Lifestyle theory is defined as “views on how people become crime victims because of lifestyles that increases their exposure to criminal offenders” ( Siegel, 2011, p. 68).” In other terms crime is not a random occurrence; rather, it is a function of the victim’s lifestyle. Victimization risk is increased by staying out late, living in urban areas, and people someone may hang out with. One can stay out of criminal acts by staying home at night, moving to rural areas, earning more money, and getting married (Siegel, 2011, p. 68).
Lifestyle theory was originally used by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler. There are a million different lifestyles that can cause a human to act out and get involved into criminal behaviors such as getting involved with drugs or even the wrong crowd. There are also lifestyles that can keep a person out of criminal behaviors such as getting a good education, earning more money, and even living in a rural area.
Drinking, taking drugs, sleeping around would be considered high-risk lifestyles. These behaviors have a greater chance of victimization. These risky behaviors expose humans to a lifestyle that is hard to get away from. Drug using is expensive and in return needs quite a bit of money to keep the drug supplies coming. These drug users turn to stealing or violent to get what they are using and will not stop till they get it. High-risk lifestyles always equal criminal behaviors. Most young adults go to college to better themselves and get a higher education so one day they can live the American dream. However in other cases students go to college to party which in turns makes these students exposed to victimization. Students are worried about having a good time instead of studying and going out with friends as an award. College is expensive and some students just throw it all away so that they can party and drink all semester long which in returns leaves students thousands of dollars in the whole and now have a drinking problem, they are going to lean towards the criminal side because it is a way to make money fast to keep the partying moving.
No one wants to be told that their lifestyle is the wrong one and they need to start over, but some of these people just need a little guidance. Giving someone the opportunity to start over with a clean slate is one way to kick the bad lifestyles out. Rehab centers give drug users the chance to turn their life around and try to start a new positive lifestyle. Offering free schooling to students to learn about drugs and the horrible effects it has on people could possible help a person understand why not to go down that road or even how to get out of the bad citation. What people need is more centers to go to and have someone listen to their story and want to help these people better themselves and get them back on their feet again. People with bad lifestyles need someone to listen and someone that wants to help them change for the better without judging.
“According to deviant place theory, the greater their exposure to dangerous places, the more likely people are to become victims of crime and violence” (Siegel, 2011, p.70). Victims do not inspire crime but are weak because they reside in socially confused, high-crime areas where they have the greatest risk of coming into contact with criminal offenders, no matter what their own behavior or lifestyle. Deviant place theory view that victimization is primarily a function of where people live (Siegel, 2011, p. 70).
Deviant places are mostly those of lower economic classes, thickly populated, and highly transient neighborhoods. In these areas, we often see mixed land uses that have commercial and residential properties exist side by side. Commercial establishments provide criminals easy targets for theft crime and burglary. These areas are home to people with less means who are easy targets for crime: the homeless, the addicted, the mentally ill, and the elderly poor. The effect of safety precautions is less pronounced in poor areas. Residents of poor areas have a much greater risk of becoming victims because they live in areas with many motivated offenders; to protect themselves, they have to try harder to be safe than do the more wealthy (Stark, p.893).
People who live in more wealthy areas and take safety precautions, significantly lowers their chances of becoming victims of crime. Living in a wealthy part of town has protections, such as neighbor watch, homeland security, and fast time reaction to 911 calls. These places have a lower rick of drug users, break-ins, and theft making these areas safer than most.
Lower income neighborhoods need protection and stricture punishments. Protection for the homeless, poor elders, and kids. They need protection from the drug users, drunks, and thefts. 911 calls need to be taken more seriously and have a faster reaction time in these types of areas. Their needs to be police offices that line the neighborhoods to protect those who can’t. Stronger punishments also needs to be taken in place for those who harm the week, those who cannot protect themselves.
So is someone turned into a criminal by the way they live their life or by where they live. Lifestyle theory believes that one turns into a criminal by the acts they make in their lifestyle such as using drugs or even drinking. Deviant place theory suggests that a person becomes a criminal by the places they live, such as living in low incomes cities that has little to no protection. Could both of these theories work together?

Reference
Siegel, L. (2011). Criminology: The Core (4th ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning. P.69-70
Stark, R. 1987 Deviant places: a theory of the ecology of crime. Criminology, 25, 893-909.