Crime as a Function in Society (How it Works)
Essay by Christine Forler

For years people have constantly disputed why we have crime in society, and how we can stop it. However the truth is that crime is needed in society, and further more there is no possible way to completely extinguish crime in the world without upsetting the fragile balance.
According to functionalism, crime is described as an important function in society, and without it there would be no equilibrium (balance); thus, world powers would become distorted.

Auguste Comte (sociologist) created and supported the theory that if one institution declines in importance, another will emerge to fill the void. This point can be proven with functionalist views, in the way that everything in society functions as organic unit, much like the human body. Every organ in the society must be functioning properly and in balance in order hold the whole system together. For instance, in the world of crime and justice, criminals case law enforcers to demonstrate the severity and power of the law; as others witness this power, they learn not to follow the same criminal actions of others. Furthermore, criminals not only set an example of what not to do, they set a standard of crime control for police in each city, town, province, and country. They give the police an idea of what kind of crime prevention or control is needed.

There will always be people willing to break the law, so there will always be people needed to uphold it. This means there will always be thousands of jobs guaranteed for upholding the law and protecting people from criminals. For example police officers, home security agencies, and insurance companies. Therefore, over all, it can be stated that a steady level of crime is needed to make a properly functioning society.

If we look at crime in society according to Sigmund Freud’s (psychology) theory of the id the ego and the super ego, we can gather that not only does crime create an equilibrium in society, but it also explains the broad variety of each individual human mind; and how some minds are conditioned to a life of crime.

Looking at Freud’s theory, we are all mentally meant to poses a strong super-ego (the social consciousness that thinks and worries about the "other"), Id (the unconscious drive for pleasure that is not concerned with consequences, and lives in the moment), and ego (the conscious mediator, balancing the Id and super-ego).

Freud’s theory of the Id, the ego, and the super-ego can be applied to a human’s personal reality, and what coping mechanisms can cause this reality to shift. For example, denying something is true in order to avoid the anxiety of the truth, may go on for too long until the individual is not able to differentiate between truth and lie. This shows the imbalance between the Id and the super ego, and how the drive to satisfy and protect one’s self is prevailing over what is good and moral. This imbalance creates a shift in the individual’s own reality. If more and more defence mechanisms are overused for an extended amount of time, the brain will do what ever it takes to save it’s self from insanity, though it can only be pushed so far. Just like anything, if a defence mechanism is used too strenuously, something in the brain will snap, causing a negative ripple effect on the individual’s sanity. This theory can prove that some individuals, depending on the strength of the mind, can be conditioned to snap and cause all kinds of negative consequences, such as crime. Over all this means that crime will always exist in society, as some humans are conditioned to become criminals.

From an anthropological view point it can be said that society (especially the media) is to blame for crime rates, and that in a way crime is socially acceptable. This can be proven by looking at various cultural groups and comparing them to each other, based on social "norms" and social expectations.

A very important point made by anthropologist Margret Mead is that our personalities are largely influenced by the society we live in. This observation was made by comparing American adolescence to those of Samoan (African country) culture. Mead concluded that American were raised to compete against each other, as life is a "constant battle" to the top. Americans are raised in a world that says respect is the most important tool you can poses, and with respect you can attain what ever you desire. However, American media and culture states that respect is gained through intimidation. Intimidation comes in the form of being bigger, stronger and smarter. Intimidation can also come in the form of a gun or weapon, for those who are not bigger, stronger, or smarter. For instance, take the case of Columbine; The outcasted students stood up to the jocks with guns, and for once had their "respect" and an authority over them.
Mead also concluded that Samoans were taught to co-operate in order to make the best of what little they had. The Samoan culture was aware that they needed each other in order to survive, which is something the Americans lost track of, as society has taught them to focus on themselves, and getting what they want out of life. This observation is very important in terms of crime in society, as it shows the motivation for crime is the idea of dominance and possessing the respect of others.

Overall, it can be stated that crime is needed in society, in order to maintain balance and social order. It can also be stated that with social and mental standards that exist today, there is no possible way to completely eliminate crime from the world, let alone one country. This means that there is no possible government or law enforcement that can be implicated to make all the worries of the world go away. Humans need to accept that crime will always be a part of society, just as there will always be authority to protect them from criminals.