FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND CRIME RATES 4 Improving Family Relat ✓ Solved

The topic of focus in this paper is improving family relationships to reduce crime rates. My position is that developing and maintaining healthy family relationships plays a vital role in reducing societal crime rates since parental guidance promotes desirable behaviors. Such behaviors include, but are not limited to, respect and safe interactions. Thus, healthy families are pivotal in promoting a safe society.

The first source that backs this position is the article by Ahangaram and Dehpahlavani. The authors argue that instability in families and poor living conditions for children affect societal crime rates (Ahangaram & Dehpahlavani, 2014). One observes that dismantled and unhealthy families have a significant influence on crime in children and adolescents. The living conditions experienced by individuals often have an impact on their tendency towards criminal activities. The usefulness of this article comes from the fact that it teaches my audience about the factors affecting societal crime rates as well as the role of healthy families in the reduction of such crime rates. This article convinces the audience that my position is valid.

Another source that supports my case is the book Criminology: Theories, Patterns, and Typologies by Larry Siegel. The author lists informal social control as one form of collective efficacy, together with institutional and public social controls. Informal social controls entail family, relatives, and peers, with the family being the most crucial wielder of informal social control. The author demonstrates that family has a significant role in keeping at-risk children and youth in check via mechanisms such as ridiculing disrespectful or lazy behavior, withholding privileges, and corporal punishment (Siegel, 2018). These are actions that can only happen if the family unit is healthy, as broken and unhealthy families can hardly rein in on their fellow family members.

Families take on a more significant role in the reduction of crime rates in neighborhoods with few social ties among adults and limited collective efficacy. One source that goes beyond my position to examine other more significant factors is the book Economic Development, Crime and Policing: Global Perspectives. The authors argue that economic factors such as poverty and unemployment, as well as political factors, play a larger role than family health in reducing the rate of crime in society. The authors suggest that addressing factors relating to the economic and political aspects of society and neighborhoods will have a greater impact on the reduction of crime rates as opposed to addressing family health issues (Lemieux, Heyer, & Das, 2015).

It should be noted that addressing the latter is much more difficult than addressing economic and political factors since family dynamics are unique to each family. This book demonstrates to my audience the importance of economic and political stability in the attainment of safe societies. The source further highlights the unique role of family health in crime rates, although this factor has been given less credence as compared to the economic and political factors. Three other sources support my position. In all these sources, the role of the family, particularly the cohesiveness and health of the family unit, has been identified as a crucial factor in the reduction of delinquency and crime among youth, as well as reduction of recidivism rates (Dodge, et al., 2014; Latessa, Listwan, & Koetzle, 2015).

The authors observe that family influences not only a child's early development but also his or her trajectory in life (Mackey & Levan, 2013).

Paper For Above Instructions

Family relationships are foundational to societal wellbeing, significantly impacting crime rates and community safety. Healthy family dynamics foster positive behaviors and provide children with the tools necessary to navigate life's challenges. As such, improving familial relationships should be a primary strategy in crime reduction initiatives.

Research validates the assertion that strong family bonds reduce juvenile delinquency. For instance, a study by Ahangaram and Dehpahlavani (2014) shows a direct correlation between family instability and increased crime rates among youth. Children raised in nurturing environments are less likely to engage in criminal activities, highlighting the protective influence of stable family structures. Encouraging parents to nurture their relationships with their children promotes guidance and instills values of respect, empathy, and conflict resolution.

Additionally, Siegel (2018) underscores the importance of informal social controls, particularly the role of the family in regulating behavior. Families are typically the first line of defense against the onset of delinquent behavior. Proper parental oversight and involvement can redirect children away from potential criminal activities. Mechanisms such as setting clear expectations, providing consistent discipline, and fostering open communication are all indicative of healthy family structures. Without these practices, children are likely to gravitate toward negative influences that contribute to a life of crime.

However, while family dynamics play a critical role, they do not operate in isolation. Economic and political factors also considerably shape crime rates. Lemieux, Heyer, and Das (2015) suggest that poverty, unemployment, and lack of community resources are significant contributors to crime. In neighborhoods where families struggle with economic instability, the burden often falls on children who may resort to crime as a means of survival or belonging. Thus, any instituted family programs must be complemented by broader socio-economic improvements.

Efforts to bolster family relationships should also consider the challenges of unique family dynamics. As Dodge et al. (2014) point out, addressing familial issues can be complex, as each family's circumstances differ. Programs that provide support systems for families, such as counseling or parenting workshops, can aid in strengthening familial bonds. Such initiatives contribute to creating nurturing environments essential for child development. Furthermore, schools and community organizations can collaborate to support families, reinforcing the message that communities are invested in the wellbeing of their members.

Moreover, the legal framework surrounding families should also emphasize rehabilitation over punitive measures. Family interventions that focus on preserving and strengthening relationships can decrease recidivism rates, particularly among youth. Latessa, Listwan, and Koetzle (2015) highlight that holistic approaches that integrate family support with rehabilitative services yield better outcomes compared to traditional punitive responses.

It is also essential to remain cognizant of the intersectionality of family dynamics and societal factors. Mackey and Levan (2013) discuss how poverty exacerbates the challenges faced by families, often leading to increased family stress and dysfunction. Therefore, addressing crime rates through a familial lens requires addressing both relational and structural challenges. Collaborative efforts involving families, community organizations, and government can provide comprehensive solutions that tackle the root causes of crime.

In conclusion, improving family relationships plays a significant role in reducing crime rates. While other factors, such as economic and political pressures, also contribute to crime, the importance of a stable family environment cannot be overstated. Policies aimed at enhancing family relationships should be integral to comprehensive crime reduction strategies. By fostering strong family units, communities can create safe and nurturing environments where children thrive, thereby reducing the propensity for criminal behavior.

References

• Ahangaram, M. R., & Dehpahlavani, M. (2014). The Role of Family in Abnormality and Crime in Children with a Case Study. International Journal of Pediatrics, 2 (4), 86-94.
• Dodge, K. A., Bierman, K. L., Coie, J. D., Greenberg, M. T., Lochman, J. E., McMahon, R. J., ... Group, C. P. (2014). Impact of early intervention on psychopathology, crime, and well-being at age 25. American Journal of Psychiatry, 172 (1), 59.
• Latessa, E. J., Listwan, S. L., & Koetzle, D. (2015). What Works (and Doesn’t) in Reducing Recidivism. New York: Routledge.
• Lemieux, F., Heyer, G., & Das, D. K. (2015). Economic Development, Crime, and Policing: Global Perspectives. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
• Mackey, D., & Levan, K. (2013). Crime Prevention. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Siegel, L. (2018). Criminology: Theories, Patterns, and Typologies (Thirteenth ed.). Boston: Cengage Learning.