Question

Which theory(or theories)of crime would be relevant during a recession?

Answer 1

• Strain theory could be relevant during recession.People experience strain or stress, they become upset, and they sometimes engage in crime as a result. They may engage in crime to reduce or escape from the strain they are experiencing. For example, they may engage in violence to end harassment from others, they may steal to reduce financial problems, or they may run away from home to escape abusive parents. They may also engage in crime to seek revenge against those who have wronged them. And they may engage in the crime of illicit drug use to make themselves feel better.
• Money is perhaps the central goal in the entire world. All people, poor as well as rich, are encouraged to work hard so that they might make a lot of money. Further, money is necessary to buy many of the things we want, including the necessities of life and luxury items. Many people, however, are prevented from getting the money they need through legal channels, such as work. During time of recession,people have less money,which obviously makes them frustrated as it becomes difficult to buy even the necessities sometimes.Criminals and delinquents often report that they engage in income-generating crime because they want money but cannot easily get it any other way.
• Also,Conflict theory suggests that deviant behaviors result from social, political, or material inequalities of a social group. In response to these inequalities, certain groups will act deviantly in order to change their circumstances, change the social structure that engendered their circumstances, or just to “act out” against their oppressors,in this case recession times.Poor people or people experiencing lack of money experience inequalities leading to a conflict of whether to remain as they are or adopt deviant behaviours to get money which might involve stealing,bribery etc.