Despite efforts to punish criminals and make them fear crime, there is little evidence that the fear of?

Question

apprehension and punishment can reduce crime rates. How can this discrepancy be explained?

Answer 1

the thing about rules and regulations is that altho they are there for good reasons and intentions.... it doesn't always do what it means to do. for example...the speed limit. when it was 55, we all drove 65. because we Could..even tho we knew we Shouldn't. and if we got caught, we got a ticket. slowed down for a bit. and then started going faster again. it's just human nature to want to break rules. then, they changed the speed limit to 70. what do u drive? I know i drive 80+...!!! and we shouldn't, but we just do. it's a freak of logic.... but that's why what is more important is if you govern Yourself as well as possible; to strive to achieve what is Good, Possible, and Right for yourself..and when u do so, u actually realize later on that u are following the rules now...but voluntarily, Not because there are punishments involved.

i learned this recently, actually thru bible study believe it or not! it makes sense to me now...that is a big problem w/ religion in general...when we're taught to think we are so bad, and sinners, and must punish ourselves all the time, it makes it That much harder to do what is "right". but when i truly understood and accepted, by learning about Romans 5-8...that i am Already forgiven, I am already Saved, i am already Not Guilty thru God's Grace and Jesus' sacrifice. therefore, there's no more need to punish myself. we all make mistakes, it's OK. all i have to do is to choose, for myself, what I believe is Good, Right, Positive, Happy, Respectful, Healthy for my life and my family and i see already that i WANT to choose the "right" things and follow the "rules"..whereas before i kept rebelling, not wanting to go to church or bible study cuz my mom wanted me to.

now that i Choose to do it, i govern myself, i follow what rules i think are right.. :)! i go to church every sunday and bible study every wednesday and i do it happily, willingly. much more joyful than being forced to go w/o understanding.

Answer 2

Imprisonment, punishment, even the death penalty don't deter all crime from happening. Basically the perpetrators don't think they will be caught. Street criminals white collar criminals think they can get away with it. Sometimes they do most of the time they are caught and punished.

Answer 3

I don't think someone's justification for not committing a crime should be that they might get punished. It should be that they know it is wrong.
Parenting is where it all goes wrong. After that there is little to do to help them, although this doesn't mean we should give up.