Does social deprivation cause Crime? [OVER]

Since the advent of modern social science, sociologists and criminologists have been preoccupied with finding the answer to what is the root cause of criminal (or deviant) behaviour and, therefore, what are the best ways to prevent it. Many theories have been put forward on the subject. Some of them have since been completely discredited — like Lombroso’s theory that you can determine a person’s propensity toward criminal behaviour by measuring certain physiological traits such as head size. But much of the focus and research into the causes of crime has centred around the impact of social deprivation or poverty on those who commit it. Poverty is a huge problem worldwide, the US census in 2010 recorded that 15.1% of people in the US live in poverty, and for those aged under 18’s the rate was even higher at 22%.

pro's:
- People who are destitute are more likely to turn to crime in order to satisfy basic living necessities.
-People feel crime is the only way to get their frustrations heard.

cons:
-Some of the biggest crimes that affect society the most are committed by huge multinational companies or wealthy individuals.
-In an age of consumerism, the primary cause of crime is a greed or desperation to fit in, or have it all.
-The statistics about poverty and crime show correlation, not causation.

I see it as, you commit crime if you are socially influenced by your peers; peer pressure . Nowadays people will do a lot to 'fit in' with their group of friends or society even if it means turning to crime to achieve that. Everyone today is influenced by the idea of being 'gangsta' puts you above others around you, and that every action you commit is related to being 'gangsta'. If people just took a step back for a moment and looked at the bigger picture, they would see being 'gangsta' doesn't make you more enjoyable in a group. Being tough doesn't mean you are necessarily cool.

I agree with Tiff Tiga completely, where i live this is a huge problem being that gangs are quite high where i am. Youth especially turn to crime because they want to feel accepted among there peers and class mates, if they don't then loads of bullying and pure pressure goes up until the victim either commits a crime or in some cases gets beat up. Some youth to are even in these gangs or their parents are, some to may view the ones who act all mighty, strong as role models and may to just resort to crime because of a role model doing it..even if its from a TV show the influence is all around us.