"BCITORGB" wrote in message
ups.com...
Weiser on poverty - crime causality:
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I don't dispute that there is some causal link, I dispute that it is
THE
causal link to the exclusion of all others.
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I think we're on the way to some kind of agreement. Like you, I'm not
inclined to claim that there is ONE or THE causal link.
Where we likely still disagree is over the relative magnitudes of the
myriad causes of crime. The data I've seen, plus personal observations
and experiences lead me to the conclusion that poverty is a significant
factor in crime (both absolute and relative poverty).
Look about major urban centers around the globe: is crime not generally
more likely to occur in poorer ghettos? When break-in occur in
wealthier neighborhoods, aren't the criminals likely to have come from
poorer neighborhoods? Why are crime rates in aboriginal communities
generally higher than in non-aboriginal communities? Why are North
American natives significantly over-represented in Canada's prison
population?
Again, I'll agree with you that there is no ONE answer, but I'll
venture to say that relative poverty plays a huge role. And I'm not
sure the ownership of guns (or not) would change any of what I've
noted.
frtzw906
A pretty good exploration of this subject:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...63/ai_n6142201