Do you think that poverty is justification for criminality ?
By ronnyb
@ronnyb (6113)
Jamaica
December 8, 2008 7:29am CST
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this discussion are not necessarily those of the author ,just meant to inspire discussion.
Many persons argue that because they are poor and can’t afford certain things they need to steal or commit other acts of criminality to get it .Some adamantly argue that poverty is no justification but are willing to bend the rules if persons steal for basic amenities like food. Is it fair for your neighbor to have five cars, five houses and you are taking the bus and barely can find food to eat ?.Many persons argue this is not fair but does that justify your robbing of your neighbor
What is your take on the situation? Is criminality ever justified and if so on what grounds .
3 responses
@rvangeld (334)
• United States
10 Dec 08
I think that there are so many shelters and places out there willing to help homeless people and that they have too much pride to go and say I need help. I honestly think that it is their own fault that they are homeless, because there are so many places out there for them.
Sorry if I offend someone by this discussion. I am just stating my viewpoint. I hate doing it, because I do not like to offend.
1 person likes this
@Pascha (65)
• United States
11 Dec 08
I was homeless with a two year old child.
I went to one shelter, but they wouldn't take us in because I was not a victim of domestic abuse. I could have claimed that I was, but they require the abused to file at the minimum, a protective order with the district attorney.
I went to another, and they only took in addicts.
The last one that I went to wouldn't allow kids.
and I tried to get the state to take my son, but they wouldn't because there was no abuse or neglect going on.
My point is, please do not assume that just because somebody is homeless, that they chose to be or that they did not ask for help. I hope that you never have to learn that lesson for yourself.
@suzzy3 (8342)
•
9 Dec 08
Well it all depends on what side of the fence you sit on.If someone has five cars a big house and a holiday home what are they doing living in an area where there are people having a hard time.I expect the poorer people do wonder what is going on.That does not mean they can go and take what is not theres,after all the better off people did not have it given to them,they had to work for it,must have worked long hours away from their familys to get all this stuff.It sounds different where you live to where we are.Even the poor families have sky tv and a enough food and mostly run cars as well.So I don't think we know what poverty is in this country is really.As everyone is given enough money by the state to live on but the taxes are high for people like my husband are high and the pensioners have abit of hard time I would not want to live on the basic state pension,which lets this country down really and we are ashamed of it.
@ronnyb (6113)
• Jamaica
10 Dec 08
Well where I live the rich usually have arease where only rich people live but sometimes you may have "well to do' people living next to poorer perosns,these are normally those who have risen out of the ranks through hard work.Like you ,I agree that no one has the right to take what is not yours.
However in my country ,the state doesnt give you any money to live on and if they do give you something it doesnt serve you for a month .Consequently there are some really poor people here.Also if you have five cars that is usually a sign that you have some money .Taxes are high but manageable but there are people who avoid the tax net and so what our government collects is really a small percent of our expenditure.
And another thing a state pension thats almost a joke ,especially if you didnt contributte much in the first place
1 person likes this
@gjabaigar (2200)
• Philippines
8 Dec 08
There is another worst criminality than that and that's why this so criminality of the poverty is happening. And that is corruptions or greediness especially in the government or politicians. The Funds that should alleviate the living of the underprivileged families is diverting to their own pockets, family and friends.
