There are many perceptions of what defines crime. The definitions appear to change throughout history and are still changing today (Henry, S. and Lanier, M. M., 2001 ,p.139). For example, in the past marital rape was not considered a crime as it was thought that women were believed to be “sexual property” of the male and, therefore it couldn’t be classed as rape (Brownmiller, 1975, cited by Bergen, R.K., 1996, p.3) [...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Perspectives on Crime Definitions
2.1 Consensus and Conflict Views
2.2 The Role of Media and Social Construction
2.3 Cultural and Legal Variations
3. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the complex and fluid nature of defining "crime," investigating how legal, cultural, and social perceptions evolve over time and vary across different societies. The research examines the challenges in establishing a universal definition and the influence of media and institutional power on criminal legislation.
- The historical and cultural variability of crime definitions
- Sociological perspectives: Consensus vs. Conflict theory
- The influence of media on the social construction of reality
- The intersection of legislation, social norms, and state enforcement
Excerpt from the Book
What Is Crime?
There are many perceptions of what defines crime. The definitions appear to change throughout history and are still changing today (Henry, S. and Lanier, M. M., 2001 ,p.139). For example, in the past marital rape was not considered a crime as it was thought that women were believed to be “sexual property” of the male and, therefore it couldn’t be classed as rape (Brownmiller, 1975, cited by Bergen, R.K., 1996, p.3). However, in the United States in 1978 a man was convicted of rape on his wife (Russell, 1990, cited by Bergen, R.K., 1996, p.4). This shows how it is hard to define crime due to the changes in views over time.
Different cultures also have different perceptions of what is, or is not considered to be a crime. For example, all states in the U.S. consider the possession, or use of marijuana a crime (Boire, R.G., 1996, p.21). However, in contrast, others view it in a positive light as, unlike smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol, marijuana has supposedly can be put to medical use. For example, the source argues that it can be used in medical situations to reduce symptoms of pain, such as AIDS (Geringer,D., Mikunya,T., M.D.,and Rosenthal, E., 1997, p.3). Situations such as these make it hard to pin point the exact definition of crime.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the core problem of the essay, highlighting that crime is a fluid concept that changes across historical eras and geographical locations.
2. Perspectives on Crime Definitions: This section details various theories, including the consensus and conflict views, and explores how media narratives and political pressures shape the legal definition of criminal behavior.
3. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming that a universal definition of crime is virtually impossible to achieve due to the constant interplay between societal values and legislative enforcement.
Keywords
Crime, Legislation, Social Construction, Consensus View, Conflict View, Media Influence, Cultural Variations, Criminal Justice, Social Norms, State Power, Legal Definition, Sociology of Crime
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this essay?
The essay explores the ambiguity surrounding the definition of crime, demonstrating that there is no singular, static meaning of the term.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The central themes include the historical evolution of laws, the role of media in shaping public perception, cultural differences in defining offenses, and sociological theories regarding societal consensus and conflict.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to analyze the various factors—such as cultural, social, and political contexts—that contribute to the difficulty of arriving at a universal definition of crime.
Which research methods are employed?
The author uses a qualitative literature review, analyzing scholarly sources, books, and journals to synthesize different perspectives on criminal definitions.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body examines psychological and sociological approaches like the "consensus" and "conflict" views, the impact of media reporting on legislative action, and examples of regional variations in law.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include social construction, consensus view, conflict view, legislative process, and cultural variation.
How does the "conflict view" explain the existence of crime?
The conflict view suggests that crime arises from social inequalities and class struggles, where individuals may engage in illicit acts due to envy or competition with higher social classes.
Why does the author argue that crime is a "social construction"?
Following the perspective of G. Barak, the author suggests that crime is not an objective constant but is often shaped by media-induced public fear, which pressures the government to create new laws for acts that were previously considered acceptable.
- Quote paper
- Louise Grant (Author), 2009, What Is Crime?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/169105
