Terrie Movitt Theory Of Crime Essay

Sociology is the study of people, groups, places and how they grow, develop and function to form a society. Naturally a sociologist would be inclined to believe that an offender’s reason for committing crime could be attributed to their peers, neighborhood influences and or family members. This argument contains some validity, but falls short of providing a proper explanation of why some people commit crimes and others do not.
In an effort to explain criminal behavior Criminologists must consider social factors, but an examination of biological factors and individual traits must also be undertaken. Research conducted by Terrie Moffitt, Pathways in the Life Course to Crime, explained in Criminological Theory: Past to Present (Cullen, Agnew &
Wilcox, 2014) argues that the reason why an offender continues to commit crimes is a result of the offenders’ individual trait (biological) and their social environment.
Moffitt’s theory details that the development of a fetus containing abnormalities has been linked more often with violent offenders. The cause of these abnormalities has been linked to poor prenatal nutrition, drug use by the expectant mother or exposing the fetus to toxins. After the birth the physical abuse and neglect that limits brain development, growth or cause injury to the brain may according to Moffitt, play a role in the delinquency of the child and the continued anti-social behaviors. Moffitt details that, according to her research, children with brain development issues born into supportive families often seek professional help in diagnosing and working with the child. However the research also indicated many of these children who because of biological traits are susceptible to delinquency, are often born into families that are non-supportive either because the families are
socio-economically challenged but also may also be psychologically unable to cope with the child’s delinquency. The parent or caregiver themselves often exhibit delinquent behavior. Research indicates (Cullen et al, 2014) that children inherit “measured intelligence” and those children most in need of assistance with cognitive development are born to parents that cannot provide it because of their own limited biological abilities. Cullen et al (2014) indicate that many delinquent juveniles will “age out” of their behavior.
Motivated by sound relationships, academic, work and monetary pursuits, many juveniles will dismiss delinquent activities on their own for fear of losing what is good in their lives. However, some will continue on a course of delinquency into adulthood. Effective governmental policies to counter delinquency must be addressed at the lowest level, the youngest age of the potential offender. Governmental funding of proper nutrition and medical care for children and expectant mothers as well performing early childhood education programs can help to combat negative biological and social impacts. Family focused programs including mental health counseling and early intervention into delinquent acts should be provided to families. Challenged families such as single parent homes, young mothers, impoverished or even some families lacking formal education must be targeted for support. Early intervention programs, including parenting classes, prior to and immediately after birth, may lend to reducing negative environmental and learning attributes for at risk youth. Research dictates that many offenders learn values and norms from the parents. A parents acceptable values and norms which are commonly unacceptable by society, such as the parent stealing, will more likely than not have an effect on the child’s development and view of the law. Efforts to rehabilitate the offender to conform to the
norms and values of society will help to reduce generational crime. Equally as important to deter future offending is the early diagnosis, prenatal, of the biological risk factors of the potential offender, especially those being born into challenging socioeconomic conditions. Policies that impact newborn and children’s biological and environmental health should be balanced with effective programs to instill proper parenting skills. Parents are most likely to instill a sense of right and wrong in a child and if done early and often, most juveniles will not offend despite socioeconomic and or external environmental pressures.