Women Offenders: A Study in Sociocultural and Economic Dynamics
Abstract
Every society is static as well as dynamic and it reveals its change through organization and disorganization. One of the aspects of change, that is, disorganization, is the causative factor for crime depending upon the personal characteristics of an individual or disorganized person. According to Durkheim crime is a natural phenomenon of society and hence no society is free from crime. According to him crime of any sort is an endemic condition of society and thus it can be explained through etiological aspects.
When Crime is considered normal in society, it is believed that causative factor of crime is inherent in that society. However, it becomes difficult to identify any particular aspect as the only causative factor of crime. What is crime? It is violation of law and any such violation is immoral and sinful, and may be subject to punishment by the state. Since the concept of crime has been undergoing changes from time to time, it becomes difficult to give a precise definition of the term „crime‟. However, definition of crime does imply that certain social values are entrusted to laws which are not to be violated by the members of society. The concept of crime committed is believed to be elusive, complex and multidimensional. The causal explanation of it appears to be as complex and varied as its definition. Explaining the etiology of crime, it has been suggested that a number of factors come into play in the causation of crime. The studies of Clinard, Durkheim, Kobrin etc, point out that crime and social disorganization are inter-relation and are products or consequences of urbanization. However, Durkheim (1959) later indicated that crime is not only the result of urbanization but also due to anxiety to achieve certain goals. His theory was supported by Merton (1957) who explained that crime is due to discrepancy between the legitimate goal which a society sets for its members and the legitimate means which it provides for its attaining them. Sutherland explained that deviant behaviour is learned and acquired in the process of interacting with other people and that primary groups and peer groups are influential in learning process.
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