Ucas personal statement draf 1 Criminology is a subject that will always be relevant in society because Criminology looks at the different aspects such as why criminal offences are committed within society. Could it be the impact of primary and secondary socialisation on each individual? Another question that I feel is important is the criminal justice system effective? In my opinion I feel that these two vital questions are fundamental to understanding why crimes are committed. My interest into the study of crime emanated from the television series “The Bill” I understand the hyper reality and fictionalization of television programmes but this became the starting point of my curiosity.
The Functionalist approach to the study of crime states that crime has two positive functions for society. Durkheim claims that crime retains boundary maintenance. He states that crime produces a reaction from society, effectively uniting its members in condemnation of the wrongdoer and reinforcing their commitment to the shared norms and values. Secondly, he claims that all acts of social change start with an act of deviance, so in the long run deviant tendencies will give rise to a new culture and morality. For example, the wishing for African-American rights in America included several acts of deviance by breaking several laws yet it paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement.
It has to keep up with the current developments in forensic science while addressing issues like organized crimes, terrorism activities and cyber-crime among others. The police department has to come up with means of addressing these issues. Thesis Statement This essay will look at the challenges that the 21st century police are facing in their duties of maintaining law and order. The major topics will focus on the perceptions of public and relations with the community, the advancement in the technological surveillance, equality and diversity in this department and the consequences of globalization and the war on terrorism. Issues Public perception: this is one of the significant challenges for the police department in this 21st century.
Abstract This paper will explore and discuss the difference in opinion regarding crime and who should be held accountable for criminal activity. The views of social responsibility and social problems will be examined, along with the perspectives that each holds to justify their belief. Theories such as Determinate Sentencing that holds the value of social responsibility in response to crime, and also the Constructionist theory that places that blame on society as to why a person commits a crime. In the end I believe that Social/Individual responsibility is the most appropriate way to approach crime. Perspectives of Social Problems and Social Responsibility Within criminology there has been multiple theories suggested to explain the numerous motives behind why crime exists in our world.
Therefore it is functional for crime to keep the people informed on the boundaries of their society. Durkheim suggests that crime reaffirms the boundaries making it functional and positive. Every time a person commits a crime and is taken to court the publicity of the court case in the newspaper, publicly re-affirms the boundaries of society. This is more evident in societies that still use public punishment systems for example the lethal injection is still used in some American states (Texas) these executions are normally open for the public to watch. Changing values can also affect the law in the sense that every so often the public with have sympathy for someone who is being prosecuted for a certain crime and the law may eventually be changed to reflect the changing attitudes of society.
Furthermore, the discretion of police can play a large role in the investigation of criminal offences; however, it can lead to certain individuals in society being targeted. The amount of power that police currently have is enough to successfully achieve justice and to sufficiently protect the community. It is imperative to the safety of society that police have a large degree of power in criminal investigations. The New South Wales police force under the Law Enforcement (Power and Responsibilities) Act 2002 is given special legal powers to enable them to effectively carry out their duties. The ‘7:30 report – Sydney shootings spark call for expanded police powers’ supports the importance of police having a high degree of authority in criminal matters.
However, choice theories of crime resonate with a conservative person’s sense of right and wrong, common sense, and ability to understand crime causation so that it is not viewed as irrelevant, impractical, academic drivel. Choice theories also satisfy a person’s emotional need for revenge. Therefore, choice theories have had a strong political and legislative impact on the criminal justice system. This paper will identify and describe choice theories, how they relate to crime, and how they relate to society’s response to crime. It also contains a real-life example illustrating how four people from the same family chose very different paths in life: a life of crime and homicide and a life of education and career success.
In essence most of them serve as the basis on which more modern theories of crime and justice are founded. The way of life at particular periods in the history of man may have influenced the decisions pertaining crime and justice. The perception of crime and justice changes as the way of life of a people changes from the clan level, to the government level. Religion is also an important aspect affecting the conduct of issues relating to crime and justice. Conflicting ideologies have led to more reasonable school of thoughts which in turn facilitated adjustments in the way crime and justice were dealt with over the years.
421]. In terms of crime, Thomas [1923] argues that societies provide ‘ready-made’ definitions of situations that allow people to both ‘understand what’s going on’ and, more significantly, know how to respond to this behaviour. Labelling theory developed in a time of social and political unrest when many kinds of established authorities were challenged, The Vietnam War was in full swing, and civil unrest was breaking
This book is considered a prodigious book due to themes, characters and techniques portrayed within this text. The themes of crime and law and power and authority influence readers to abide by the rules and not make the same mistakes visible throughout this novel, as well as portraying a message of how someone can drastically change an individual's life. The characters of this novel employ both these themes with Brett committing the crimes and Sam having the power to change that. The techniques of irony and symbolism certify why 'Raw' is considered a great book. This entire book resolves around the issues faced with teen rebellion and the journey of teen redemption.