Social learning theories explain crime based on the social structures that promote crime. According to Burgess and Akers criminology theory, that bases its arguments on Sutherland’s behavioral psychology, nine fundamental propositions explain the reasons people commit a crime. These proposals argue that people in their young lives learn criminal behaviors. The interaction with people and structure of the society to punish crime differently, which is unfavorable to correct even the minor offences, change the dimension and beliefs of crimes (Krohn, Lizotte, & Hall, 2009). These interactions tend to make juveniles change the views on crime. The youths are more likely to engage in crime if the people they associate with promote certain minor offences. If the adults fail to punish children who commit a crime or the punishment is too small compared to the type of crime the children commit, the children learn to become defiance. The continued failure to promote moral uprightness enhance criminal acceptance in the society.
The other reason is based on the social structure whereby the society tends to glorify criminals. For instance, during the Pablo Escobar era in Columbians, his lifestyles was adored by teenagers and his efforts to build schools and houses for the poor made them glorify his status for example by voting for him as a member of parliament. The case demonstrates the justification by the society to support the crime and glorify criminals (Bowden, 2001). The teens in Columbia based on the society’s belief that crime committed for improvement of the community is justifiable provide the learning platform for people to engage in crime. Lastly, people may join in crime for the opportunities and guidance from criminal groups who mentor them into crime (Krohn, Lizotte, & Hall, 2009). Most of the gangs recruit youths into their groups and teach ways to engage in crime by first handling petty crimes before graduating to violence and other complex crimes.
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References
Bowden, M. (2001). Killing Pablo: The hunt for the world's greatest outlaw
Krohn, M. D., Lizotte, A. J., & Hall, G. P. (2009). Handbook on crime and deviance . Dordrecht: Springer
