A crime is an offence for which there is severe punishment by law. Some persons are habitual criminals and some commit crimes once in a while compelled by circumstances or personal reasons. Crime is becoming a common issue in society and spreading like the HIV virus. We do not get a single day without newspapers reporting on crimes. But are all the criminal cases reported? The answer is NO!

People do not report crimes, which they regard as too trivial for the police to deal with. Some are regarded as private matters between criminal and victim. The latter may not wish the criminal to be harmed, if he/she is related to him. If the criminal is one?s own son, one may be reluctant to report him. Sometimes a victim may be embarrassed, for example, sexual assault. Some-times the victim may not be able to report the case, if he/she is threatened by the criminal or has died.

Another important reason for not reporting a crime is lack of benefit. It may mean waste of time, money and energy to many if there is nothing to gain from it. For instance, a house burglary would be reported only if there is insurance cover. This why many crimes committed are not re-ported.

Criminals are not born, they are made. What factors then make a criminal? There is no universal response as different criminals have different motives. There are many sociological and economic factors responsible for creating a criminal. The main ones include poverty, unemployment, lack of education and unhealthy influences of society. Research shows that most criminals are illiterate, uneducated and come from a low economic background. They have lived in overcrowded slums without any steady means of livelihood. So, when they get some opportunity to change their fate, they easily fall prey to the temptation.

To get a better life they do not hesitate to get involved in the trafficking of women, children and drugs, bank robbery, etc. It is more astonishing when we see someone who belongs to an educated and high social background involved in a major crime.

Nowadays the young generation wants to make easy and quick money. For that they are sometimes trapped in crime networks. Many educated young people become fed up when they do not get a decent job after completing their studies. Some may choose the path of crime.

Crimes can also be committed due to psychological factors. Some sick people may get pleasure in committing murder while obsession with sex may compel a person to commit rape. The way of dressing and some movies may make someone obsessed with sex.

History witnesses that political factors can turn people into criminals. These crimes are more organized than individual ones and the criminals are not ordinary ones, they can go beyond any limits to reach their political goals. September 11 is such a notorious example.

Sometimes crimes are a consequence of the law and order situation of a country. Where it is strict, crimes are less likely. We can observe this in daily life. If our kids commit a petty crime, we should not take it lightly as it will encourage them to commit bigger crime. A guy who steals money from his father?s pocket today, may one day be behind a bank robbery if his parents do not take necessary actions now.

The two main factors, which determine a man?s personal development are nature and nurture. We must provide a healthy environment and sound education for our children. We must also make sure that they get a decent job and economic freedom. Moreover, we can teach them our religious values and help them practise them. I believe that this will be very helpful as no religion supports crime.

<B>Shahin SARDAR</B>

Manager, Business Coaching Center