NCJ Number
48830
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS AUDIOCASSETTE RECORDING OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE PRESENTS VARIOUS OPINIONS AND THEORIES ON VIOLENCE IN AMERICAN SOCIETY.
Abstract
MANY SOCIOLOGISTS ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN THE HIGH VIOLENT CRIME RATES AS A PRODUCT OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC CONDITIONS IN THE COUNTRY. THE VIEW IS EXPRESSED THAT ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD USE ITS POWER TO CONTROL THIS VIOLENCE, IT IS NOT PRESENTLY DOING SO. THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF THE UNITED STATES HAS CREATED A SUBCULTURE OF VIOLENCE AMONG THE YOUNG, POOR BLACKS AND POOR WHITES, AND POVERTY OF THIS GROUP OF 'UNTOUCHABLES' HAS CREATED VIOLENCE. THE NEW POLICY OF THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM IS TO CONFINE VIOLENT OFFENDERS TO PREVENT THEM FROM DOING FURTHER HARM TO SOCIETY. CONNECTING THE WOMEN'S LIBERATION MOVEMENT TO AN INCREASE IN FEMALE CRIME, IT IS CITED THAT THE RATE OF INCREASE OF THE FEMALE CRIME IS THREE TIMES FASTER THAN THAT OF MALE CRIME. ALTHOUGH THE GREAT NEED FOR SOCIAL CHANGE HAS LED TO POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN THE FORM OF RIOTS AND PROTESTS, THESE DISTURBANCES AND VIOLENT PROTESTS ARE RELATED TO MUCH DEEPER SOCIETAL AND DOMESTIC PROBLEMS. THE NEED FOR MORE SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOR TO GET AT THE ROOTS OF THE PROBLEM IS SUGGESTED. (BAC)