This text emphasizes the theme of social problems versus social responsibility. How would you describe both perspectives? How might social policy decisions based on these perspectives differ?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The social problems perspective sees crime as a manifestation of underlying social problems beyond individual control (poverty, discrimination, inequality of opportunity, breakdown of traditional social institutions, low level of formal education among some disadvantaged groups, pervasive family violence, and inadequate socialization). Advocates generally agree that crime and violence are serious social problems but propose solutions based on a public health model, arguing that crime must be addressed in much the same way as public health concerns like AIDS, herpes, or avian flu.

The social responsibility perspective sees crime as a matter of individual responsibility and maintains that offenders choose crime over more law-abiding actions. They may choose crime because it is exciting, because it offers illicit pleasures and the companionship of like-minded thrill seekers, or because it is simply personally less demanding than conformity. Advocates tend to doubt the ability of social programs to solve crime and suggest highly personalized crime-reduction strategies based on firm punishments, imprisonment, individualized rehabilitation, and increased security as well as a wider use of police powers.

Policies based on the social problems perspective emphasize government-funded initiatives that are designed to enhance social, educational, occupational, and other opportunities. They call for large-scale government expenditures in support of social programs designed to address the issues that are perceived to lie at the root of crime.

Policies based on the social responsibility perspective emphasize individual choice. Examples include increasing the number of capital crimes, mandating longer prison sentences, the use of three-strikes laws, putting more police on the streets, and building more prisons.