It is a stereotype and a lot of people think it true: Unemployed people are more criminal than others. Based on empirical studies and criminological essays, this paper shall find out if this is actually true.
It shall be examined if there is a direct connection between unemployment and delinquency, focusing on the individuals and the question if unemployment causes them to commit a crime.
To become acquainted with the origins of delinquency and the situation of unemployed individuals, the work of Hirschi and the report of Krüger and Amelang, which contain essential information, have been of great importance.
To gather empirical evidence for a connection, criminal statistics and other empirical studies shall be examined at first. Afterwards, the consequences of unemployment and the causes of delinquency shall be described. Eventually it shall be determined if consequences and causes correspond to each other or induce one another. Referring to the results the conclusion will answer the question if there is a link.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Empirical studies
1) Crime statistics
a) Share in suspects
b) Duration of unemployment
c) Repeated delinquency
d) Categories of crime
e) Reliability of crime statistics
2) Studies of the ifo institute
3) Conclusion
III. Consequences of Unemployment
1) Social groups affected by unemployment
2) Impact of unemployment
IV. Causes of delinquency
1) Motivational theories
2) Bond theories
V. Links between unemployment and crime
1) Anomy
2) The importance of social networks
3) Discussion
VI. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines whether a direct causal connection exists between unemployment and delinquency. The primary research goal is to determine if unemployment acts as a driver for criminal behavior by analyzing empirical data, socio-economic theories, and the impact of joblessness on social structures and individual orientation.
- Analysis of criminal statistics regarding suspects and unemployment.
- Evaluation of socio-psychological consequences of long-term joblessness.
- Examination of motivational and bond theories in criminology.
- Investigation into the role of social networks and anomy as mediating factors.
- Assessment of the necessity for social integration of disadvantaged groups.
Excerpt from the Book
1) Motivational theories
These theories insinuate that every individual has got the desire to conform and act according to the society’s rules. This may change if the individual has got legitimate desires conformity cannot satisfy. Depending on the society, this desire consists in success or wealth or something else desirable.
If such a desire occurs, the individual has to calculate the costs of the commission of a crime that would satisfy this desire. This calculation includes the benefit of the crime, the probability of being caught and the punishment. Considering that the individual is anxious to conform, the result of this calculation is influenced by the individual’s conscience and the expectations of others. This influence may be reduced by intense frustration concerning the society. This means that the desire has to be very strong.
Criticising this theory Hirschi states that this theory has been created to explain delinquency of lower-class individuals.
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: Outlines the research question regarding the potential link between unemployment and crime, setting the scope for the subsequent empirical and theoretical analysis.
II. Empirical studies: Evaluates criminal statistics and specific studies, concluding that unemployed individuals do not inherently exhibit higher criminal tendencies than employed citizens.
III. Consequences of Unemployment: Describes how job loss impacts individual lives, specifically focusing on the loss of social status, financial stability, and the disintegration of social networks.
IV. Causes of Delinquency: Introduces motivational and bond theories to explain why individuals commit crimes and what factors, such as social ties, typically prevent such behavior.
V. Links between unemployment and crime: Discusses how anomy and the lack of social support systems can create a environment where unemployed individuals are more vulnerable to committing crimes.
VI. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, negating a direct causal link while highlighting that social exclusion and lack of orientation are significant contributing factors to criminal actions.
Keywords
Unemployment, Delinquency, Criminology, Crime Statistics, Anomy, Bond Theory, Motivational Theory, Social Networks, Social Exclusion, Labour Market, Criminal Law, Suspects, Social Status, Poverty, Integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper fundamentally investigates whether unemployment is a direct cause of delinquent behavior by examining empirical data and sociological theories.
Which thematic areas are primarily addressed?
The key themes include the analysis of crime statistics, the psychological and social consequences of unemployment, and established criminological theories regarding human behavior.
What is the central research question?
The main question is whether a direct causal connection exists between being unemployed and the propensity to commit a criminal act.
Which scientific methods are utilized in this work?
The paper uses a comparative analysis of existing criminal statistics and a review of established criminological and sociological literature, such as Hirschi's bond theory and Merton's anomy theory.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main part covers empirical data on suspects, the impact of joblessness on social groups, theories explaining criminal causes, and the interplay between social networks and criminal probability.
Which keywords best characterize this study?
Key terms include unemployment, delinquency, anomy, bond theory, criminal statistics, and social integration.
Does the author conclude that unemployment causes crime?
No, the author concludes that there is no direct causal link, but notes that social exclusion and lack of orientation in the absence of a job can create conditions that increase the risk of delinquency.
Why is the "precarity" group considered the most vulnerable?
They are characterized as being significantly poor, lacking support from familial or social networks, and feeling neglected by the state, which reduces their resistance to potential criminal paths.
- Quote paper
- Björn Hoops (Author), 2009, Unemployment and delinquency, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/137604
