Criminology: theories, methods, and applications

Criminology

Social Learning Theory and Social Policy

Dealing with the problems that occur in society and preserving the welfare of innocents is the responsibility and duty of law enforcement and government officials in most modern communities. Without such controls, it is possible for negative social experiences to effectively ruin a society, demolishing the basic forms that society takes in order to operate, such as the family unit. However, it is also possible for these policies to go too far, effectively harming society by failing to allow its members to make and learn from their own mistakes. While the Anytown's policy has some benefits, a comparison of its positive and negative affects reveals that the framers grossly interpreted the social learning theory when drafting the policy.

The benefits associated with Anytown's policy have mainly to do with the fact that leaving a child as a member of a household with a documented offense of domestic violence, child abuse, or drug and alcohol abuse raises serious moral and ethical issues. In 2007, the Child Welfare Information Gateway, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, noted that an estimated 1,760 children died as a result of abuse and neglect (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2009). Of course, this number does not include the children who have suffered physiological, mental, and emotional injuries because of abuse. Because of these staggering numbers, it is evident that one would seek to create a drastic policy. and, indeed, the removal of the children from the home will take them out of harm's way. Furthermore, the benefits supplied to parents are in line with current policy regarding the prevention of fatalities due to child abuse and neglect. The Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, along with other social services departments, joined together to launch 2003's Child Abuse Prevention Initiative, which was geared toward raising awareness and strengthening communities and parents and caregivers in order to stop abuse before it begins (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2009). Clearly, the types of programs proposed as educational resources for parents in this policy -- such as parenting classes and anger management -- would be in line with this treatment. Further, if the popular social learning theory connections with criminology are correct, the policy could stop futures of child abuse, spousal abuse, and social problems, as many suggest this is a learned behavior. For instance, Burton, Miller and Shill (2002) found that teens who had close relationships with their sexual abusers were more likely than sexually abused teens who had not had close relationships with their abusers to become sexual offenders.

Despite these benefits, the negative effects of such a policy are far greater. First and foremost, it is possible that this policy would actually do more harm to the child and family unit. It is beneficial for families to work through their problems together in counseling and parenting classes. In reference to domestic violence, Allen and St. George (2001) found that couples who were court mandated to attend domestic violence therapy found that the therapy would not have been affective if they had gone to sessions separately. In the case of family therapy, this may also be true for children. In addition, breaking the children away from the family may foster hatred or further anxiety between the groups, and bringing the children back into the home after the couples have undergone counseling may subject them to an unintended stressor, further harming their relationship with one another. In this case, it is important for members of law enforcement to realize that each family makes mistakes, and that being a part of a family is -- for many -- a new experience. Children of divorced parents, abusive parents, etc. may indeed be covered by an explanation of social learning theory when they have trouble running a family unit. However, addressing problems with the family intact can be one way to insure that the legacy does not pass to the children of this family.