The classical school assumes that crime arises from an individual’s choice and rational calculation (Taylor, Walton, & Young, 2013). Primarily, classical philosophers hold persons accountable for criminal acts arguing that the offenders engage in crime at free will. Also, the classical school assumes that crime is a pre-meditated act. On the other hand, the positive school of criminology relates crime to factors beyond a person’s control. For example, poverty is likely to trigger thoughts of theft to sustain one’s living.
Based on the assertion above, the positivist criminological perspective best explains the occurrence of crime in contemporary American society. Recent reports indicate that fatherless children are more likely to engage in crime as compared to children with a father figure in the family. Also, a child brought up by a single mother has high chances of pursuing crime towards supporting their mother (Bunting, 2016). Therefore, poor parenting contributes to high crime rates.
Effects of Crime Control Strategies
This is based on the principles of deterrence and the rational choice theory. Different people hold conflicting arguments regarding the success of law institutions in fighting crime through relatively tough punishment; the foundation of the principle of deterrence. The Criminal Justice System (CJS) relies on the rational choice theory to punish offenders. As mentioned in the classical school of criminology elaboration, criminals are punished owing to the assumption that their offenses were pre-meditated or rational. Over the past few years, the rational choice theory has significantly contributed to the number of incarcerations. In the U.S, about 2.3 million offenders have been convicted and exposed to relatively harsh sentencing policies (Wright, 2010). Such legislation includes alcohol, tobacco, and drug policies. Drug traders have to consider buyers’ age lest they face hefty fines of up to $1,000 for every drug package delivered (National Crime Prevention Council, 2017).
- Bunting, P. (2016 July, 02). We must encourage responsible fatherhood to reduce crime.
Retrieved from http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/We-must-encourage-responsible-fatherhood-to-reduce-crime_65894 - National Crime Prevention Council. (2017). Positive change through policy. Retrieved from http://www.ncpc.org/topics/home-and-neighborhood-safety/positive-change-through-policy
- Taylor, I., Walton, P., & Young, J. (2013). The new criminology: for a social theory of
deviance. New York, NY: Routledge. - Wright, V. (2010). Deterrence in criminal justice: Evaluating certainty versus severity of
punishment. The Sentencing Project. Retrieved from http://www.sentencingproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Deterrence-in-Criminal-Justice.pdf
