A Hedgehog Proposal
Some scientists have described physiologically harmful effects of stress among populations living a marginal existence, effects which are linked to a perception of powerlessness and a present-oriented failure to plan actively for the future. These general tendencies resemble characteristics of criminal offenders, leading to an hypothesis that overwhelming stress from poverty and powerlessness can create irresponsibility-a failure to take into account the consequences of one's acts-conducive to criminal acts. Mechanisms to encourage responsibility entail enabling empowerment (example: jobs at livable wages). Finally, criminology professionals must publicly dramatize the linkage between joblessness, poor health care, and so on, with crime by publicly supporting initiatives such as full employment efforts.