Первести many prominent criminologists of the 19lh century, particularly those associated with the socialist movement, attributed crime mainly to the influence of poverty. they pointed out that persons who are unable to provide adequately for themselves and their families through normal legal channels are frequently driven to theft, burglary, prostitution, and other offences. the incidence of crime especially tends to rise in times of widespread unemployment. present-day criminologists take a broader and deeper view; they place the blame for most crimes on the whole range of environmental conditions associated with poverty. the living conditions of the poor, particularly of those in slims, are characterized by overcrowding, lack of privacy, inadequate play space and recreational facilities, and poor sanitation. such conditions engender feelings of deprivation and hopelessness and are conducive to crime as a means of escape. the feeling is encouraged by the example set by those who have escaped to what appears to the better way of life made possible by crime. some theorists relate the incidence of crime to the general state of a culture. especially the impact of economic crises, wars, and revolutions and the general sense of insecurity and uprootedness to which these forces give rise. as a society becomes more unsettled and its people more restless and fearful of the future, the crime rate tends to rise. this is particularly true of juvenile crime, as the experience of the united states since world war ii has made evident.
Некоторые теоретики связывают преступность с общим состоянием культуры. Особенно с влиянием экономического кризиса, войн, революций и общего чувства незащищенности, которую эти силы порождают.
Так как общество становится все более нестабильным, а его люди более беспокойными и боятся будущего, то уровень преступности возрастает. Это особенно верно в отношении подростков, а опыт США времен Второй Мировой войны сделало это очевидным.