Essay: How Criminology Betters Society by Marlia

Essay: How Criminology Betters Society by Marlia - December 2023 Scholarship Essay

When I tell someone that I want to major in Criminology the first question I always get is, how content am I with tracking down criminals and putting them behind bars? I try to explain to others that there is more to the major apart from arresting criminals and going on pursuits, as within it lies the solution to the very problem we struggle with the most as a society.

We often talk about ways to ‘cleanse’ society. Punishing the bad and saving the good, all hoping to make the world a better place. Yet an overlooked part in this is what makes the world so evil. If all evil has its roots then where can we find the ones that belong to the murderers, the thieves, the serial killers, the kidnappers, and smugglers, and the drug addicts?

Criminology works as a way to find these roots. It is not only a focus on law and criminal extermination, it is also a lens that allows us to explore the causes behind criminal behavior. Criminology brings issues such as abuse, generational trauma, wrongful upbringing, and even gender as factors to why criminals commit crimes. It raises awareness and helps paint a bigger picture behind crime, teaching us as a society that there is more to wrongdoing than just the act. As a result our society soon discovers these flaws in our communities, which can help us better prevent crimes in the future. So rather than chasing criminals and putting them behind bars, we work together to lower crime rates and create safer lives for everyone.

In addition, Criminology also focuses on rehabilitation programs to help criminals reintegrate back into everyday life. Understanding the factors that contribute to criminal behavior not only works to establish proper preventative measures but also aids in coming up with treatment plans that allow offenders to become functioning members of society again and turn away from their past. Criminology gives people second chances and the right resources to start their lives again, ensuring that mistakes don’t constantly weigh down our society.

In conclusion, criminology is more than just the simplistic notion of tracking down criminals and placing them behind bars. It forces us to question the very roots of evil in society, emphasizing that understanding these roots is crucial for effective change and allows us to pave the way to proper treatment plans that allow offenders to rebuild their lives. Criminology fixes communities, strengthens lives, and makes the world a safer place.