Since the dawn of time, criminality has seems to be a natural tendency of the human psyche. Now, in the 21st century, we are beginning to make great strides in the search for the causations of crime. There are countless theories on why crime exists. Why would a person, knowing the consequences, commit an act they know is against the law? The most interesting theory, and the most intensely studied as well, is the theory that it is a genetic trait. Still, many other prominent theories exist.
Some say, it is society's fault. A criminal only commits crimes because they are forced to by an oppressing society. Clarence Darrow, an infamous criminal lawyer in the early years of the 20th century, addressed the prisoners of Cook County Jail in 1902. IN his address, he blamed common criminality on the unjust society. In his address, he stated that a man who steals a car from someone is no more guilty of a crime than a gas company who charges double what there product is worth, People are forced into crime by necessity. Ridiculously, he even justifies a child kidnapper's actions by saying it is "merely his profession" and that he means no harm in kidnapping children and possibly killing them. This theory, though not a popular one, is a further example of one of the great trends that has swept across the world, in the past hundred years. Now, worse than ever, no one wants the blame. Everyone seems to be a victim. In Darrows" eyes, even the common criminal with no remorse is not to blame for his actions but only the society that has drove him to them. (Clarence Darrow, Address).
A second theory is that of socialization. According to socialists, a criminal is not necessarily born a criminal but due to the circumstances in his life while forming, he is conditioned to a life of crime. This theory sounds respectable, but has little evidence to show.
Today, we study the idea of a genetic component that lead to a person's tendency to turn to criminality.
