Introduction
The news article identified from the web that focuses on violence is from https://globalnews.ca/news/9346256/domestic-assault-prince-edward-county/. The article is titled “Domestic violence reports on the rise in Prince Edward County: OPP, advocacy group” by Fawwaz Muhammad-Yusuf. Muhammad-Yusuf (2022) focuses on the issue of domestic violence which in this case is the kind of violence that people experience from their intimate partners. There is a need to establish effective measures to curb the issue of domestic violence since it has been on the rise in the recent past, with women being victimized more.
My perspectives on the subject of violence are influenced by reports such as the one discussed in this article since they provide me with access to fresh data and statistics relating to the subject. After reading accounts of this nature, I now understand how significant of a problem violence is to the community. In addition, I have arrived at the conclusion that the problem of violence cannot be handled in its whole; rather, it must first be segmented into the various forms that it can take. This will make it possible to put in place targeted measures that will rid the community of the many different factors that contribute to and cause violence.
Violent Event
Even though the United States of America has been subjected to a steady stream of terrorist threats, the events that took place on September 11, 2001 will forever be remembered. On that day, the United States of America was attacked by Al-Qaeda, an Islamic extremist organization. They took control of four commercial airplanes and used them to bring down the Twin Towers as well as the Pentagon. The attack resulted in the destruction of the surrounding infrastructure and led to the collapse of the Twin Towers. There were reports of up to 3,000 fatalities, with an additional 6,000 individuals experiencing various degrees of injury. Those who were in the neighborhood at the time of the attack reacted in a state of terror as a result of the devastation caused by the strike. However, the first responders exhibited bravery in their attempts to preserve lives by delivering first aid to those who were injured in the incident. People became closer than they had ever been before with support coming from various parts of the world. Whatever transpired on September 11 and the days that followed will always be engraved in the memories of a great number of people living in the United States.
Homicide in the United States
The United States is one of the countries with the highest rates of homicide when compared to other first world countries. The country has the highest number of gun owners but lacks strict firearm regulations to control the manner in which they are used. America also experiences an income disparity which has contributed to a significant number of people living in poverty. The different problems associated with poverty push people into crime and killing other people. The high rate of homicides in the United States is resulting from an increase in gun ownership, poverty, and reduced faith in law enforcement officers.
One of the primary contributors to the high rates of homicide in the United States is the ease with which individuals can obtain firearms. The United States of America has the greatest rate of gun ownership in the world but lacks strict regulations on their usage. There is a correlation between the high rates of gun ownership and the high rates of homicide, given that firearms are the most often used weapon in homicides (Gramlich, 2022). Countries with tougher gun laws have lower rates of homicide, and states in the United States with stricter gun laws had lower rates of homicide than states with more permissive rules. This indicates that the United States should consider having stricter firearm-related laws to minimize the increasing rate of homicide within the country.
Another aspect that contributes to the high homicide rates in the United States is the widespread existence of poverty and income disparity. An estimated 11.8% of the population is living below the poverty line in the United States, giving it one of the highest poverty rates among developed countries (US Census Bureau, 2022). Low income and income disparity are both associated with greater crime rates, including higher homicide rates. Communities that have high rates of poverty and income disparity frequently have restricted access to resources and opportunities. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness and frustration, which can in turn contribute to criminal conduct.
One such factor contributing to the high homicide rates in the United States is the inadequate availability of mental health care services. In spite of the fact that mental illness is a substantial risk factor for violent conduct, the United States suffers from a scarcity of mental health care specialists and has restricted access to mental health services, particularly in low-income neighborhoods. This can result in those who have concerns with their mental health not obtaining the therapy they require, which can in turn raise the risk of aggressive conduct.
Lack of faith in law enforcement officers and the justice system has contributed to a significant increase of homicide cases in the United States. When people have a lack of faith in the authorities, they may be less likely to report crimes or participate in investigations. This makes it challenging for the police to solve crimes and bring those responsible to justice, which may lead to an increase in criminal activity. When individuals do not trust the law enforcement, they are more likely to take matters into their own hands and engage in vigilantism, which can result in more violent confrontations and, ultimately, more homicide cases. People in the United States lack trust in law enforcement officers due to a history of wrongdoing and excessive use of force. This lack of trust in law enforcement can lead to an increase in crime and violence because individuals do not believe the justice system is working for them.
Different theories exist on the matter of homicide in the United States since different people have observed varying causes of murder in the country. Each theory seeks to uphold the perspective that a specific factor is the main contributor of homicide in the country. The different theories on the issue of homicide result from different assumptions and perspectives that cause people to develop varying conclusions. Homicide is a complex issue which makes it challenging for one to give a complete explanation about it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the high rate of homicides in the United States is resulting from an increase in gun ownership, poverty, and reduced faith in law enforcement officers. America does not have strict gun laws thus an increased likelihood of citizens using firearms for the wrong purposes. American citizens have reduced trust in the justice system therefore might choose to take matters into their hands rather than contact police officers. The high number of people suffering from mental health problems is also a predictor for homicide since such people tend to be violent.
References
Gramlich, J. (2022). What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S. Pew Research Center. Web.
Muhammad-Yusuf, F. (2022). Domestic violence reports on the rise in Prince Edward County: OPP, advocacy group. Global News. Web.
US Census Bureau. (2022). National poverty in America awareness month: January 2023. Census.gov. Web.