Some people think that criminal behavior can have genetic reasons, while others believe that only circumstances can lead some people to crime. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people think that criminal behavior can have genetic reasons, while others believe that only circumstances can lead some people to crime. Discuss both views and give your opinion.  

Why do some people feel crime may have genetic connection 

·         It has been seen that there are some races that have survived on activities like hunting 

·         There have been people who have hailed from regions that faced extreme scarcity of resources, their ancestors relied on looting the travelers

·         Natural animal instincts  

Why do some people feel crime is driven by circumstances 

·         Poverty and destitution, and  on top of that lack of education is keeping people poor, and hence they go in for unlawful means 

·         Many are swayed by the desire possess everything that consumer society can afford 

·         Lack of proper upbringing 

·         Coercion is a means that cannot be overlooked 

·         Self defence 

Unlawful activities have been a part and parcel of life ever since humans appeared on this planet. This has persuaded many to explore and discover the source of this menace, and different schools of thought have arrived at contrasting conclusions, with some blaming criminal activities to be stemming from conditions and surroundings, while others linking it to inherited practices. 

To embark upon discussion, several criminologists claim that most illegal activities are an outcome of these animal instincts that are deeply encoded in the human genes, and it needs  only a slight provocation for an individual to become aggressive and resort to violent and illegal ways. This innate propensity also pushes people to react aggressively and take laws into their own hands. This has been supported by several studies carried out to determine the motivation behind partaking in an unlawful endeavor, which revealed that most incidents took place due to impulsive action and reactions of people involved. There were also some cases where perpetrators enjoyed inflicting pain on others. 

Nevertheless, there is another lobby that differs from the former perception: they feel that no one is born a criminal and it is the situation that compels them to opt for anti-social behaviour. The prevailing economic disparities and the widening gap between the haves and the have-nots is the primary source of unlawful acts. To worsen/exacerbate the consumerist attitude the setting its foot firmly in, which  is fueling desires and pushing the deprived to choose the shortest possible method to gain those materialistic possessions, through deviant ways.

Overall, after assessing both the viewpoints, I arrive at a conclusion that both opinions are justified since sometimes, criminal activities are the outcome of the inbred attitude, and at others driven by several factors like money.