Youth crime is on the rise, and inner-city youth culture is glorifying it.
Young people have developed the idea that committing a crime is normal, whether it involves stealing from a shop or selling drugs. Ex-prisoners come out of incarceration for the crimes they’ve committed, flaunting flashy jewellery, brand-new cars, and a lavish lifestyle. When young people see this, they can be misled into believing that going to prison is a part of success and that it’s okay. This mindset then leads young people to think that the risks are worth it. Selling drugs, stealing phones, and committing fraud seems worth the gamble. However, this perspective is wrong and misleading because nothing is worth sacrificing your freedom for. The issue is that young people already envision the rewards of a crime before they commit it.
When they plan to steal a phone, they’re already thinking about the new clothes, jewellery, or watches they can buy with the stolen money. They are already influenced by their surroundings and tempted by these thoughts. As a result, when it comes to committing a crime, there’s often no “stop and think” process – it’s a win-win scenario in their minds. If they succeed and get away with the crime, they obtain the desired piece of jewellery or clothing. If they get caught, they believe that prison is manageable and that it isn’t the end of the world, making the risk seem worthwhile. Seeing rappers and other influencers go to prison and come out to a lavish lifestyle further solidifies this perception in young minds.
They see no risks in their minds. This is the crux of the problem: the rewards of committing a crime appear attainable and desirable, while the potential consequences are often not as visible. Although young people might gain some insight into what prison is like through TV shows, Netflix series, and the stories of rappers, they’re not getting the full picture. It’s not the reality. Young people need to hear about the real consequences of prison on mental health from people who have experienced it first-hand. The paranoia that builds up from not knowing who might be out to hurt them and the struggle of relying on people from the outside while having no control over what is happening – these aspects are often overlooked. It’s crucial young people understand that the choices they make now can have profound and lasting effects on their future. This is why addressing the real impact of crime on their lives is so important. By recognising the whole story and understanding the consequences, young people can make more informed decisions, leading to better outcomes for themselves and society as a whole.
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