Crime in an American Family

It is case histories like the Bogles that make many argue that crime is a learned behavior, the product of ecological and family influence. Such a social theory of criminality argues that children learn the values of family members. When those values affirm crime versus following the law, children become criminals. Others argue that individuals are of free will and rational in the choices they make. Choice theory argues that individuals choose the choices that best fulfill their needs. When those choices are predicated on an external locus of control, individuals resort to crime over law and order. This analysis will study the Bogle case in order to assess both the social learning theory and the choice theory of criminal behavior.

. . .
behavior, ôA person becomes delinquent because of an excess of definitions favorable to violation of law over definitions unfavorable to violation of lawö (SutherlandÆs, 2003, 1). Tracey admits that his father taught them they were descended from European Gypsies who stole, therefore those values of criminal behavior overruled the values of law in mainstream American society. As Fay Gentle, coordinator for the Oregon Department of Corrections, maintains, ôKids are so eager to please, they imitate their parentsö (Butterfield, 2002, A1). Social learning theory argues that such imitation includes the adoption of parental values or those of significant others that then conflict with mainstream values or, in this case, values of law and order. As such, children are often helpless to resist their parents on top of being eager to please them, so they behave in ways that exhibit their values. Goff and Goddard (1999) maintain that there are terminal core values associated with adolescent problem behaviors, ôProblem behavior is the result of deviant self-image, which arises from the values adopted as æguiding principlesÆö (1). In response to her fatherÆs molestation of her at the age of 11, RoosterÆs niece Florence maintains, ôI donÆ
. . .

Some common words found in the essay are:
Dale Vincent, Theory Glasser, Differential Association, William Glasser, Goff Goddard, A1 Social, Goddard Apr, European Gypsies, criminal behavior, Department Corrections, Jessie James, choice theory, bogle family, locus control, glasser 1999, sutherlandÆs 2003, external locus, social theory, external locus control, theories criminal behavior, 2002 a1, learning theory, theory choice theory, social learning theory, butterfield 2002 a1,
Approximate Word count = 1488
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

More Essays on Crime in an American Family