NCJ Number
56245
Journal
Revue internationale de criminologie et de police technique Volume: 31 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY-SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 302-308
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE CONTINUATION OF AN ARTICLE ON VIOLENCE OUTLINES FACTORS BELIEVED BY A STUDY COMMITTEE OF THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT TO AGGRAVATE VIOLENT BEHAVIOR.
Abstract
VIOLENT BEHAVIOR IS APPARENTLY LINKED BOTH TO VIOLENCE PORTRAYED BY THE MEDIA, ESPECIALLY TELEVISION, AND TO FAILURES IN THE EARLY SOCIALIZATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN, WITH ALCOHOL AND DRUGS AS A LATER CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. VIOLENCE AS A RESPONSE TO FRUSTRATION IS CONNECTED TO GEOGRAPHIC MOBILITY, TO LIMITATIONS OF IMMIGRANT WORKERS, TO LONELINESS AND SILENCE WITHIN FAMILY SITUATIONS, AND TO PERFECTIONISTIC DEMANDS ON STUDENTS IN THE ADVANCED STAGES OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS. THE STRUCTURE OF THE CONSUMER SOCIETY WITH EMPHASIS ON MATERIAL OBJECTS AS STATUS SYMBOLS, TOGETHER WITH THE INDIVIDUAL DESIRE FOR GOODS, WEAKENING OF INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL RESTRAINTS, AND REDUCED TOLERANCE FOR INEQUALITIES ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO VIOLENT BEHAVIOR. MODERN URBANIZATION FACILITATES DELINQUENCY: CONCENTRATIONS OF PEOPLE INCREASE INSECURITY, AND THE INTIMATE CONTACTS OF THE STREET ARE REPLACED BY THE ANONYMITY OF CONCRETE HIGH-RISES. VIOLENCE IS ALSO ATTRIBUTED TO THE BREAK-DOWN OF DIALOGUES BETWEEN PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WHICH RESOLVES SMALL CONFLICTS BEFORE THEY BECOME EXAGGERATED AND TO THE FEELING OF INDIVIDUALS THAT THEY CAN ONLY MAKE THEMSELVES HEARD THROUGH USE OF FORCE. CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS ARE INADEQUATE AND POORLY COORDINATED. SHORTCOMINGS OF REPRESSIVE MEASURES STEM FROM INSUFFICIENTLY DIFFERENTIATED PENAL LEGISLATION WHICH WAVERS BETWEEN GOALS OF REPRESSION AND OF REHABILITATION, THE AMBIGUITY OF CRIMINAL SANCTIONS, AND LACK OF GENERAL ACCEPTANCE FOR REDUCED PENALTIES AND CONDITIONAL RELEASE. --IN FRENCH. (KMD)