Throughout the world, crime rates are on the rise. More specifically than terrorism or state crime, street crime is rearing its ugly head. Often, the victims of crimes such as murder and robbery are as poor as the perpetrator. According to a 2003 report, all the countries which the UN tracks have rising violent crime rates. Even the US, which experienced large declines in the mid-‘90s, has been experiencing more crime in the past two years. The “paradise” of Rio Di Janeiro is now more dangerous than the Gaza Strip, exhibiting higher murder rates amongst minors. Small countries are being cripples by their crime rates as companies are reluctant to relocate there or stay there. Companies cannot profit in those conditions, and the countries are left to find other sources of income. Experts are unable to agree on many concrete causes for crime. Often, there is just as much evidence against a theory as for it. All that can be agreed upon is that where there are high numbers of young males, drugs, and guns, crime will increase. Where there is economic inequality and high urbanization, there is bound to be more crime; and once the trend starts, it is difficult to reverse. It is frightening to consider the fact that in large countries such as China and India, levels of economic inequality, urbanization, and prevalence of young males are all on the rise. Consider too the fact that guns and drugs are becoming more and more easily obtained there, and the possible consequences are dire.

One intriguing thought is what social forces are leading to the rise in crime? Obviously economic inequality, as stated in the article. But does something as simple as peer pressure amongst younger adults come into account? Perhaps the solution is as simple as offering an alternative to desperate individuals. The question is what are those alternatives?

Source: http://libproxy.uncg.edu:2123/itw/infomark/1/1/1/purl=rc1_OVRC_0_A165912976?sw_aep=gree35277