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Sociodemographic factors such as race, class, and gender have a huge impact on human behavior. Conflict theory sees these factors as evidence of inequality and the reasons for offenses. This sociological perspective searches for the relationship between sociodemographic background with drug use and crime rates. With the help of the conflict theory perspective, one can analyze how race, class, and gender affect drug abuse and crime rates in the United States.
According to the national survey on drug use, gender differences play an important role in criminal behavior. Men are more likely to use alcohol and illegal drugs, as well as commit serious forms of crime like robbery and homicide (Barkan, 2017). The way some parents raise their sons makes them more likely to use drugs than women since they are less worried about the effects of their behavior.
The research data shows that African Americans have higher crime and drug abuse rates. They account for thirty-nine percent of all arrests (Barkan, 2017). This racial group is more prone to committing offenses, especially street crimes, due to several factors like poverty, high unemployment, low stability, and lack of education. The discrimination they often experience in their lives also leads to aggression and provokes criminal behavior.
Conflict theory shows that there are higher numbers of drug abusers in lower social classes, poor families, and socially powerless communities. People with low income use drugs like cocaine and heroin and commit street crimes much more often than wealthier people because poverty produces anger (Barkan, 2017). In addition, poor parenting skills and lack of proper education make people with low income more prone to committing offenses.
To sum up, the application of social conflict theory helps to understand the difference in drug abuse and criminal behavior within different social groups. This perspective attributes racial, gender, and class differences in drug abuse and criminal behavior to the differences in education, material well-being, and social status. Therefore, the disproportion of crime rates within the criminal system of the United States is based mostly on sociodemographic factors.
Reference
Barkan, S. E. (2017). Social problems: Continuity and change. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press.
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