Author: AKSHAYA SINGH, NBT LAW COLLEGE, NASHIK
SHORT SUMMARY:
Why humans are considered as the most dangerous species in the world. According to the 2023 global study of United Nation office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) annual average of homicide from 2019 to 2021 4,40,000 deaths worldwide due to homicide. In 2021, it was extremely brutal with 4,58,000 homicides. But what is the reason behind this extreme circumstance? Is this the consequence of the decision of an individual’s selfishness or the impact of society is also Involved. Obviously, there is no fire without smoke Instead of viewing crime as the only personal failure of a person or moral weakness, there are theories that analyze the insights of criminal acts.
ABSTRACT:
Crime is not all about an individual personality’s dangerous behavior. But there is always an invisible force that influence the actions of a person in the society which make him to commit a crime. But how society, environment, and everyday life experience can negatively influence an individual in the society. The core of this article is to delve into the cruel side of the societal conditions that leads to dangerous consequences. It is generally assume that crime is often committed due to the issues of poverty, lack of education, broken families, bad living conditions, peer pressure, and unfair treatment in society. These are some of major factors that pressurize the individual, limits opportunity which eventually leads people to choose extreme path to survive. The article focuses on real examples from India, such as the rise in urban crime, youth joining gangs, and how some communities like Dalits and tribal groups are often unfairly treated or blamed for crimes. By using these examples, the article shows that crime is often the result of deeper social problems not just bad decisions. It helps readers understand that solving crime requires fixing the root causes in society, like inequality and poor living conditions. This article delves into the theories behind crimes and encourages a better understanding of the social reasons why crime happens.
STRAIN THEORY:
This theory explains that how stress or frustration can create a criminal in the society. According to today’s scenario the goal of human being is to live a decent life, which is considered as great challenge. But to attain this, the need for education, wealth, status are some of the essential elements. But not everyone get access for these elements. The vital qualification to be part of today’s society is to be successful. This hectic pressure on the people, force them to satisfy the societal needs in order to be part of the society. This strain turns the people extremist.
SOCIAL DISORGANIZATION THEORY:
This theory majorly focuses on the environment that lacks development of social and educational. Social Disorganization theory states that there is high range of probability of criminal acts in the neighbourhood that lacks social and educational development. These areas often face challenges of poverty, poor shelter, inadequate education, weak law enforcement and lack of support. But how does these challenges push the person to the end. When families break down, schools fail, and residents lose trust in each other and in local institutions, the ability of a community to maintain order weakens. As a result, criminal behavior becomes more frequent and harder to control. In the Indian context, urban slums in cities like Delhi or Mumbai reflect these conditions. These areas often experience higher crime rates due to overcrowding, limited access to basic services, and ineffective policing, all of which contribute to the breakdown of social order as described by Social Disorganization Theory.
DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION THEORY:
Humans have the ability to imitate the behavior of another person or influence from another individual. But does that include criminal activities?. This theory states that criminal behavior is not inherited through family genetics or the result of or psychological traits. It is the imitation of another individual who possess such behavior. The likelihood of a person becoming involved in crime increases based on four key factors they are the frequency of their interactions with criminals, the duration of those interactions, the priority or timing of when those relationships begin (especially if they start early in life), and the intensity of the relationship (such as with close friends or family members). In short, the more time someone spends with people who support or commit crimes, and the more important those people are to them, the more likely they are to adopt similar criminal behaviors and beliefs.
LABELING THEORY:
According to Labeling theory the act of criminality is not just the consequences of personal actions, but the involvement of society is a major reason. When someone is labeled as a “criminal,” “delinquent,” or “bad person,” that label can have powerful effects on their identity and future behavior. Society begins to treat the person based on the label, often with suspicion, exclusion, or discrimination. Over time, the individual may internalize this label, believing it defines who they are. This process can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the person continues or escalates criminal behavior simply because they feel rejected, misunderstood, or unable to return to a “normal” role in society.
CONTROL THEORY:
Control Theory argues that individuals are naturally inclined toward deviant or criminal behavior, but most refrain from committing crimes because of the social bonds that connect them to others and to society. These bonds include close ties to family, commitment to goals like education, involvement in positive activities, and belief in social values. When these bonds are strong, they act as a form of control, discouraging individuals from engaging in criminal acts. However, when these bonds are weak, broken, or never formed, a person has less to lose by breaking the law. In the Indian context, this is especially evident among children and youth from neglected or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. For instance, a child who faces emotional neglect at home, drops out of school, and lacks positive role models or community support may feel little connection to mainstream society. Without guidance or a sense of belonging, they may be more vulnerable to delinquent behavior, such as joining gangs, engaging in petty theft, or participating in drug-related activities.
CONCLUSION:
Crime is not just a result of personal choice or individual morality it is deeply connected to the social conditions in which people live. Sociological theories help us understand that factors like poverty, lack of opportunity, peer influence, community breakdown, and social inequality all play major roles in shaping criminal behavior. Each theory offers a unique lens to look at crime, but together they highlight one important truth: crime is often a reflection of society’s failures. By examining real-life situations, especially in a country like India where economic and social divides are strong, we can see how crime is influenced by environment, upbringing, and treatment by society. To reduce crime in a meaningful way, we must address these root causes by improving education, reducing inequality, strengthening communities, and offering support instead of only punishment. A sociological approach doesn’t excuse crime, but it helps us understand it better, and that understanding is the first step toward real solutions.
LEGAL JARGONS:
DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR – Actions by young people that break laws or rules, like stealing or skipping school. It could bring disturbance to the society
DEVIANCE – Behavior that goes against accepted social norms, which can vary across cultures and over time.
UNITED NATION OFFICE ON DRUG AND CRIME (UNODC) – A UN agency that works worldwide to fight crime, drugs, and corruption. It helps countries improve justice and safety systems.
FAQS
1. What is the main focus of sociological theories of crime?
Sociological theories focus on how society, environment, and social relationships influence people to commit crimes.
2. Are criminals born or made according to sociology?
Sociology suggests that criminals are made through life experiences, social conditions, and inequality—not born that way.
3. Why is understanding social factors important in preventing crime?
Because crime often stems from poverty, lack of education, or broken families, solving these problems can reduce criminal behavior.
4. How is crime in India influenced by social conditions?
In India, factors like unemployment, caste discrimination, and poor living conditions often lead people, especially youth, toward crime.
