Is Crime Contagious?

Since watching the 2008 film ‘Mad Money’ starring Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah and Katie Holmes (a superbly inspiring movie in my opinion), I’ve found myself thinking about the validity of the premise which justifies Diane Keaton’s wild character and which is as follows- “crime is contagious”.

If you have not seen this movie I suggest you to do so immediately! Not only does it capture what most people wish they had the cojones to do (which is to steal money from the federal government without getting caught and without detriment to the economy), it is damn hilarious!

So is crime really contagious? Would this explain why certain areas have high levels of criminal activity? Or are there other reasons why people choose to commit crime?

I have brainstormed and come up with an expansive (but definitely non-exhaustive list of reasons why people may commit crime, namely:

1.      The need for money

2.    The love for money

3.    Greed

4.    Peer pressure

5.     Boredom

6.    Sex

7.     Happiness

8.    Power

9.    Fame

10.            Drugs

11.  The need for challenge

Choosing to discuss each of these points individually would definitely be a tremendously long post which I doubt any of you would like to read. Instead, I will pick out the factors which I feel are the most widespread causes of crime and discuss a few of them in separate posts.

First we must understand that need is very different from want.

I can still vaguely remember my high school Economics teacher emphasising this in the classroom about five years ago. It is clear that people NEED money for the basic amenities such as food, clothing, housing and education which are required to survive and live even the most basic, least productive life. In this instance a person may consider it necessary to commit crimes such as theft or prostitution and I find it difficult not to be tolerant to people in such situations.

We’ve all most likely heard of the violence in the ‘hood’ or the desperation in Africa and India as portrayed by the media. This analysis may provide an explanation as to why many people who live in such poverty stricken areas may be involved in crime.

But is this proof also that crime is contagious? Does crime really spread from person to person? 

I would say that in this instance it does not. I would say that here, crime is not a disease but a solution. Crime is the cure that these people have adopted against poverty.

I will expound on some of the other factors in the list in forthcoming posts.

Till the next post!