​ Cause and Effect Essay

Crime and Violence in Jamaica

Crime and Violence in Jamaica. Crime is an action considered as an offence and is
punishable by law, and violence is the use of physical force to damage, hurt, kill someone or
something. In this essay there will be specific causes and effects of crime and violence in the
society of Jamaica.
Three main causes of crime and violence in the society of Jamaica are: peer pressure, parental
neglect and unemployment. Peer pressure, It is the influence on an individual or more by their
peers. Peer pressure is regarded as a bad thing because it often leads to persons committing crime
or an act of violence. Some peers take advantage of a person's lack of self confidence or need to
fit in and use them to do wrong things to gain respect.
Parental neglect, It in itself is a crime because the parent endangers the child's health and life
both mentally and physically. According to the internet, exposing a child to a violent and abusive
person often changes the child's behaviour thus resulting in bullying, violent actions or the child
committing crimes. Unemployment, according to ukessay.com, unemployment affects the
majority of our Jamaicans especially the inter city area and this creates many problems such as
crime and violence, lowering of self esteem and poverty. Unemployed persons that suffer from
stress and cannot assist themselves usually turn to robbing and killing others to satisfy their
needs and wants.
Three main effects of crime and violence in the Society of Jamaica are: Negative impact on
psychology/mental state of Jamaicans, Negative health outcomes and Unwanted pregnancy.
There are Jamaicans especially teenagers who`s mental state have been impacted negatively that
refuse to seek professional psychological help/ attention because of the fear of what society
might say about them and this usually results in change in behaviour.
According to healthypeople.gov, people who survive violent crimes, endure physical pain and
suffering and had repeated exposures with crime and violence may experience mental distress
and reduced quality of life. Which in turn leads to a negative impact on the person's health that
might cause death if not treated. Unwanted pregnancy is an effect of sexual abuse and it may
cause severe emotional stress and even depression. For teenage girls suffering with unwanted
pregnancy it may result in them being criticized by peers and society, alienated by their parents
and expelled from school. Overall for females who suffer with unwanted pregnancy they usually
want an abortion and most times need professional psychological help.
From the information gathered above it was concluded that crime and violence have impacted
the public and the whole society greatly, for example how unemployment contributes to crime
by persons stealing and killing trying to satisfy their needs and wants. And also when persons are
pressured by their peers to do wrong things so that they can be accepted.