AFDC -Criminal Justice Studies

Why do people commit crimes? There is no simple answer to this deceptively simple question. Have you ever committed a crime for which you could have been arrested? If so, why did you do it? More likely, you have considered committing a crime but thought better of it. If so, why did you decide against committing the crime? I would like to use information- Burek, M. W. (2006). AFDC to TANF: The effects of welfare reform on instrumental and expressive crimes Links to an external site.. Criminal Justice Studies: A Critical Journal of Crime, Law and Society, 19(3), 241–256. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786010600764542

Some crimes are committed primarily for practical reasons, typically related to money. These are considered instrumental crimes. For example, someone might decide to sell drugs in order to get drugs themselves. Or someone might steal a credit card in order to buy their spouse an expensive gift. In contrast, expressive crimes are laced with emotionality, such as anger, frustration, or jealousy. Intimate partner violence and sexual assault are just two examples of expressive crimes.

Case 4: Desperate Times Require Desperate Measures, Right?

Are there conditions under which you would consider it justifiable to commit a crime?

How about theft? For example, you find yourself out of money and in need of food for

yourself and three young children. You just moved into town and don’t have any friends

yet and no family. Your last paycheck was used for rent and moving expenses. Now you

have no money left for food and the kids are hungry and one is crying. All you need is a

few staples like bread, milk, and eggs. You know you will pay the store back later. So,

you simply place the few food items in your tote bag and walk out of the store. In this

case, does the end justify the means?