"Does punishment actually work?" This question came into my mind so many times after seeing the condition of my own country. Even though they're many laws created for crimes yet the justice is not served. Before doing any crimes, people would not fear that much because they know that nothing will happen to them. They stay relaxed because getting away is really easy.
After committing crimes barely a few got justice and the rest of the cases are still on waiting list for years and years. The greatest suffering is faced by the victims' families who keep returning to court in the hope of justice only to face delays and disappointment. As the justice system is very poor in our country that's why the crime rate is increasing day by day.
Victim blaming is very common here, more than the criminals the victims suffers the most. When a girl is molested, people often question what they were wearing or why they were outside at night instead of focusing on the person who committed the crime. No one is concerned about the victim. On the other hand if it was a boy who was molested people would laugh and make fun of it.
So, If the people of a country continue to think this way, I do not believe that any form of punishment alone can stop such crimes. Because the citizens are already clarifying and justifying why the criminal attempted such an inhuman act. This sends the message that such inhuman behavior can be excused rather than condemned.
Well, if there was no punishment then there would be more crimes than it is now. Some people might have wild thoughts but they fear of getting punished and avoid doing it, but those who doesn't have any kind of fear who will stop them? Anyway, punishment seems logical many people would avoid crime. However, crimes still happen every day. In my opinion, punishments work only when people think about them before acting.
They would only think about it when they know that their excuses will never be accepted by the society, that they are the one who did wrong not the victim. It will make the criminal feel guilty when no one will take their side. But if people justify criminals crime then it would encourage other criminal minded people to attempt crimes.
There are currently many child abuse cases where they were molested and later deceased. It was both girl and boy and I don't know how they are going to justify it now, like what could a child wear? It was never about the clothes; it has always been about people with dirty minds. I believe if someone is having such bad thoughts they should consult a doctor because they are not in their right mind. It's not a normal thing at all. This kind of behaviour is a sign of a deeply disturbed mindset. So, let's not blame the victims for the choices that criminals make.
As we can already see that the fear of punishment was weaker than their harmful impulses and distorted thinking. Punishment alone is not enough. But punishments are necessary so that victims family can get justice, and people needs to pay for their karma. That doesn't doesn't mean we should view punishment as a magic solution because crime will decrease only when society understands the psychological reasons behind criminal behavior as well as the legal consequences.
The thumbnail is created with Gemini.
