Breathe
By Laura Carrera
Criminal violence is a complex phenomenon, and understanding its causes takes us beyond the surface of social problems. For years, material poverty has been attributed as one of the main causes of violence; however, different research and in-depth analysis of violent contexts reveal that the real root of violence is not only a lack of economic resources. Criminal violence is, to a large extent, linked to emotional deprivation, lack of personal development and structural problems in communities. This column today explores the root causes of criminal violence and demystifies the idea that economic poverty is solely responsible.
Poverty has often been cited as the main cause of crime. This belief has led to the implementation of policies that focus on the distribution of economic resources in the hope of reducing violence. However, material poverty is rarely the central motive behind criminal acts. People do not become violent solely because they lack money or access to material goods. While access to basic necessities is important, reducing violence requires a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological factors that drive people to crime.
To say that economic poverty is the cause of violence would be to oversimplify a much deeper problem. Not all people living in poverty commit acts of violence, and not all criminals come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Criminal violence arises primarily from "mental poverty," that is, from a lack of emotional development and attachment bonds during childhood and adolescence.
One of the root causes of criminal violence is lack of attachment and emotional neglect in childhood. Children who grow up in environments where they feel neglected or mistreated, who do not receive the necessary care and attention, develop a distorted view of the world. The lack of secure and healthy attachments affects emotional development, and these young people, as they grow up, seek to belong to groups that offer them identity and validation, even if these groups are criminal.
The absence of a stable and safe family environment can be devastating to a child's emotional development. Parents who do not impose limits or who are permissive or abusive disciplinarians create conditions that predispose young people to seek refuge in groups where violence is normalized. These children grow up without a solid emotional foundation, and as they seek validation and belonging, many find in gangs or criminal groups a sense of family and attachment that they did not get at home.
Education and the family environment play a crucial role in the formation of character and in a person's propensity to become involved in violence. Since 2007, the issue of criminal violence has been studied in depth in our country, and it has been found that education, not only academic, but also emotional, is a determining factor in crime prevention. Children who receive emotional support, who learn to regulate their emotions and who develop skills to face conflicts in a non-violent way, are less likely to resort to violence.
Education, understood as a comprehensive form that encompasses both academic and emotional aspects, is critical. Teaching children and young people to manage anger, fear and anxiety from an early age can significantly reduce violence. The education system should include programs that foster self-awareness, self-regulation, autonomy and empathy, enabling young people to develop emotional stability that allows them to resist negative environmental influences.
Ciudad Juarez is an emblematic example of how a lack of basic services and a lack of emotional care can trigger high levels of violence. In the 1960s and 1970s, the city experienced a boom in the maquiladora industry that attracted thousands of families in search of jobs. However, development policies at the time ignored fundamental aspects such as access to public services, schools, health centers and recreational spaces.
This structural neglect created an environment in which many families, especially those headed by single or vulnerable mothers, were left without adequate support. Mothers and fathers, often trapped in exhausting work dynamics, could not provide the necessary attention and care for their children. This created generations of young people who grew up in conditions of neglect and loneliness, factors that made them vulnerable to falling into criminal activities.
The case of Ciudad Juarez is a reminder that it is not enough to create jobs. A comprehensive approach is needed that considers the emotional well-being of the population, especially in areas of high vulnerability. Public policies must focus on guaranteeing a balanced development that encompasses both the economic and the emotional.
An effective security policy cannot be based solely on law enforcement and the use of force. While security forces are important, they do not solve the root of the problem. Many military, those focused on public security today, and police come from similar backgrounds to criminals, facing emotional deprivation and growing up in violent contexts. For the state to succeed in reducing violence, it must take responsibility for fostering emotional development from childhood.
Rober Sapolsky, neuroscientist and behavioral expert, has pointed out that it is the environment that plays a decisive role in shaping behavior. The State, then, must implement policies that help build an environment conducive to emotional development. This implies investing in emotional education programs, strengthening families and creating communities where young people find a positive sense of belonging.
In addition, it is essential that society and the State establish a firm agreement that violence should have no place in our coexistence. This implies not only punishing those who commit crimes, but also building a culture of peace and emotional development in every home in the country.
Confronting criminal violence therefore requires a holistic approach that integrates education, emotional health and public safety. Violence is not simply a consequence of material poverty; it is, in many cases, the result of emotional deprivation and a hostile environment that does not provide young people with the necessary tools to manage their emotions and conflicts.
A good security policy must go beyond repression and economic assistance. It must include emotional development programs that foster self-knowledge, emotion regulation and the creation of healthy emotional bonds. A commitment from society as a whole is needed to create environments where young people can find purpose and a sense of belonging that steers them away from violence.
The opinions expressed are the responsibility of the authors and are absolutely independent of the position and editorial line of the company. Opinion 51.
Comments ()