With all the talk about gun control, why is no one talking about the real problem and the solution. This blog will shed some new light on the subject.
The name of this blog is "fear" and that is the problem. In a prior blog I pointed out the fear of punishment is the foundation of our legal system. It has worked in most cases, but there are some areas where we have to admit that it does not work. Look at the radical Muslims who carry out terrorist bombings that kill all kinds of innocent people. The terrorist commits suicide in the process so who do we punish with our fear of punishment system? They have no fear of punishment so we need to look beyond our current system. Here is how I look at the situation.
I divide the problem into parts. (1) Fear of the legal system, (2) Fear of peers, (3) Fear of family. This might seem over simplified, but I will expand on each. Fear has degrees too. It goes from "Real Fear" to "Love and Pride". I don't like to use just "right" and "wrong" because life is not digital. It is analog with degrees and various levels.
(1) "Fear of the legal system". Think of two different people. One who wants the money in the bank, but is concerned and afraid that he will get caught and sent to jail. His fear is not worth the value of money he might get from the bank. Another person also wants the money in the bank, but is willing to take his chances on getting caught. Further, he knows that he will be out of jail while he awaits trial and could rob another bank in the mean time. If the person was a terrorist, they might be willing to kill themselves in the process. Note how many shooters who commit suicide when the cops get them cornered? Most people who own guns would never think of shooting anyone because they are too proud of their country. Notice that fear of punishment is only a partial solution to crime. It is weakened by lax enforcement or plea bargaining.
(2) "Fear of peers". Here again we have different people, one who has a group of peers who are members of gangs or do drugs or deals in drugs. Many of these are from broken families or who have parents who are not responsible. Good parents are aware of the kids who their kids associate with and take an active roll directing their kids away from such destructive groups. Kids who are part of these destructive groups actually encourage bad and illegal behavior. These types of kids or adults have no fear coming from their peer group. Those kids and adults who are part of responsible groups would have serious fear from their peer group if they committed a crime and thus it would be a positive factor in prevent crime.
(3) "Fear of family". A person from a strong ethical and supportive family would have serious concerns about bring any kind of shame on that family. Most kids and young adults want to make their mother and family proud of them and this effects their actions. Their conduct and actions are not focused on their own gains, but on making their family proud of them. If the person, again, comes from a broken family, there is a good chance that they will not have the concern for their family I think you can see how "fear of family" is one of the most powerful factors in preventing crime.
Now look at the above. Notice that 99% of our attention is focused on (1) while (2) and (3) are more effective and don't cost near as much. It is a win-win. What we all need to do is to examine those factors that strengthen (2) and (3) and do our share while encouraging those who we come in contact with to do the same. The ball is in our court so get out there and do your share and stop complaining about the government and the police.
