Justifiable or Not? Crimes Born from Desperation

In our society, which is established by laws, crime is an offence, and one found in any crime should be punished. There are different penalties for such crimes no matter how big or small it is. But to me, crime is a crime no matter how tiny it may look in one's eyes.

However, there are some situations where the motives behind certain crimes bring about empathy, making us question the rigidness of those laws. For instance, a scenario where someone is caught stealing just to feed themselves or their family in dire circumstances. While stealing is inherently wrong, should we condemn an individual for it even when it's driven by sheer survival?

Imagine a mother who, after days of going hungry with her kids, has no possible means to provide for them. In desperation, they steal a cup of garri or a loaf of bread. Though the act is unlawful, but is it unjustifiable? The context here is survival, not greed.

There was a case like that some time ago where a family died of hunger because there was no help coming, and perhaps they couldn't go out to seek help from neighbours or their relatives. Life is tough for some people especially when it comes to feeding to survive. One unfair thing is how society often criticises the act without addressing the root causes, such as poverty, unemployment or lack of access to resources.

There we have what we call jungle justice; imagine a boy who was burnt alive for stealing a cup of grain just to fill his stomach, and because the society failed to listen to him, took laws into their hands. That's cruelty. This is where justice systems need to strike a balance between punishment and understanding.

However, while understanding the criminal act of an individual and letting them go scot-free, it shouldn't extend to repeat offences or theft with harmful intentions. When someone who was pardoned for stealing the first time makes it a habit and continues such a crime act, it becomes a choice rather than a necessity, not showing regard for the rights and well-being of others.

Nowadays, there are numerous opportunities around us - job training, acquisition of skills programs, and so on, these opportunities can help people break out of the cycle of poverty. When an individual has the chance to grab any of these opportunities but only resorts to daily theft or killings instead of finding honest means of surviving, this is not only unjustifiable but also detrimental to the standard of society.

Addressing these issues goes beyond just punishing offenders. It calls for systems that would recognize and support individuals who find themselves in desperate situations before they feel compelled to commit crimes, making it the only and last option to end their suffering. This is where the governments and communities need to take measures by focusing on creating accessible resources for basic needs like food, shelter, and employment.

At the same time, people also need to understand the importance of taking responsibility for their lives and not wait until the government does something. When there are resources available, laziness or a refusal to work shouldn't be an excuse for crime.

While it is understandable that laws exist to maintain order in society, the role of compassion shouldn't be overlooked or ignored. A person who steals once just to survive may need to be given guidance and support rather than being punished. However, stealing with malicious intent or as a lifestyle cannot be defended. By addressing the root causes of crimes like these, society can reduce the need for such actions while building a culture that allows for fairness, opportunity and accountability.

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