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This topic asks us why so many laws are broken everyday and what can be done to prevent people in society from breaking the law.
The temptation to break a law is sometimes too strong. It is overwhelming and some find it difficult to resist. To prevent people from feeling this way, they should be shown how their acts affect the areas and people around them.
Some people break the law for sheer pleasure and enjoyment, like graffiti and stealing. But there are many ways that a person is able to enjoy themselves, without the cost of breaking the law. The offender should be shown that there are simpler and better ways to be thrilled, for example skateboarding, bikeriding, youth groups and dropping centres. The examples listed seem to have reduced the number of law breaking youths and the number of kids on the streets with nothing to do.
In some situations, people are breaking the law and aren't even aware of it.
For example; when fire bans have been enforced on hot days, some people are still using their barbecues, or when businesses submit false taxation details, because of miscalculations. Not much can be done about this, because of the unawareness of the offender.
In some cases, the offender does not see that their actions are causing any harm to others, like loud music at late hours of the night and noisy cars. A good way of showing them how their actions affect others, is to have them confront the people that they harmed.
With this method, the victim is able to tell the offender how their actions have harmed them - phsycially, emotionally and socially.
Some individuals see the law as wrong. When people see things being done to the environment that they see as immoral, they protest in the streets of main cities to gain attention of the government, hoping that something will be done about it. This act is known as Civil Disobedience. It means that everyone has the right to protest in a democracy, but are unable to go outside the law, meaning that they still have to obey the law, even though they are against it.
Another reason why people break the law is revenge. The offender feels that they have been treated unfairly, so the law is broken to get back at those who they feel, are responsible for hurting them. Killing is a primary crime committed that is related to revenge. This usually happens when the offenders loved ones are lost, and they get back at those who made it happen, or in gang wars where several people are up against several people, and either side's members can be killed in a short period of time. An example of a deterrent for killings, is to show killer what they have done. Killing always affects people in the community , relatives and friends are deeply hurt emotionally.
Another issue is illegal drugs. It is not a good thing to know, that in our society today illegal drugs play such a big role in the crime scene. People mainly use these illegal drugs because they'll think that using them gives them a good image. They will rob and steal from people to get money for their next drugs. The best deterrent for drug use would be education. Recently, throughout Australia schools have drug programmes which inform the students about the horrors and damage which these substances can cause, both physically and mentally.
Some Australians live life tough, and are struggling to provide all the necessities like food, water, shelter and clothing. To some though, it is easier to steal. This is their approach to gaining money and living. A deterrent to this type of behaviour would be to state that if you are caught stealing, you are disobeying the law, thus you will spend time in prison. Prison is not a good place to be. Your individuality is lost, you freedom is lost, and many friends and relatives would see you differently when you come out. However, there are groups like St Vincent de Paul, Red Cross and the Salvation Army that help people who are in difficult financial situations.
In society, there are also the ex-criminals and ex-murders who have been released from prison. People like this are hardened in prison, and usually feel out of place. Some ex-prisoners commit crimes once they are released, because it's still in them, or they've lost everything from being in prison (self-image, family, home, income source) and would feel more comfortable in prison.
My conclusions are that there are several various reasons for why people break the law without the fear of punishment. Some break the law for a determination to get back at society, for greed, financial gain and self satisfaction ie. amusement and to get their "kicks" in life. I believe that there are several ways to deter people from committing crimes. The following two derrents are the most significant - education and getting the offender to meet those that they harmed.
Why Laws are broken?. (2016, Jun 28). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/why-laws-are-broken-essay
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