Understanding the Causes of Crime in Society Security Education Primary 3
Lesson Plan: Causes of Crime in Society
Subject: Security Education
Class: Basic 3 / Primary 3
Term: Second Term
Week: Week 3
Age (in years): 8-9 years
Topic: Causes of Crime
Sub-topic: Understanding the Causes of Crime
Duration: 40-50 minutes
Behavioral Objectives:
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- State the causes of crime in society.
- Explain how different factors contribute to criminal behavior.
- Identify real-life examples of situations that can lead to crime.
Keywords:
- Crime
- Parental supervision
- Poverty
- Peer influence
- Drug abuse
Set Induction:
Begin the lesson by asking the students:
- “Why do you think some people steal or hurt others?”
- “What do you think might cause someone to commit a crime?”
After listening to a few responses, introduce the concept of the causes of crime. Use these questions to engage pupils and set the stage for a detailed exploration.
Entry Behaviour:
The pupils know that stealing and lying are bad behaviors and that actions like these can lead to consequences. They also have a basic understanding that people sometimes make bad decisions.
Learning Resources and Materials:
- Chart with the list of causes of crime
- Flashcards showing examples of crime (e.g., a broken home, poverty)
- Markers and whiteboard
- Reference books (e.g., Lagos State Scheme of Work)
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge:
The pupils have learned about different behaviors (good and bad), which sets a foundation for understanding how certain bad behaviors can lead to criminal activities. This lesson will build on their previous knowledge by explaining the factors that influence such behaviors.
Embedded Core Skills:
- Critical Thinking: Analyzing the reasons behind criminal behavior.
- Communication: Expressing ideas and participating in discussions about crime.
- Decision Making: Understanding how choices can lead to crime and how to avoid them.
Reference Books:
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- Security Education Textbooks
Instructional Materials:
- Chart showing causes of crime
- Flashcards with scenarios that lead to crime
- Markers and whiteboard for note-taking
Content:
What is Crime?
- Crime refers to any action or behavior that is against the law. Crimes are usually harmful to individuals or society and often come with legal consequences.
Causes of Crime in Society:
Crime does not happen for no reason. There are various factors that contribute to criminal behavior:
- Broken Homes or Divorce: Children from broken homes may lack proper guidance and supervision, which increases their chances of falling into bad company.
- Lack of Parental Care or Irresponsible Parents: When parents do not take care of their children or provide the necessary guidance, children may seek attention and validation through crime.
- Drug Abuse: The use of illegal drugs impairs judgment and self-control, leading to behaviors like theft, assault, and other criminal acts.
- Peer Influence: Friends and acquaintances can encourage someone to engage in illegal activities, especially if they are in a group that engages in criminal behavior.
- Poverty: Lack of financial resources may make individuals resort to crime, such as theft or fraud, to survive.
- Easy Access to Crime: Sometimes, the opportunity to commit a crime is too tempting to resist, especially when law enforcement is not strict.
- Politics: Some people engage in criminal activities related to political gains or conflicts.
- Deprivation: Feeling deprived of basic needs can lead individuals to crime as a way to fulfill those needs.
- Unemployment: People without jobs may turn to crime as a means of providing for themselves and their families.
- Overpopulation: High population density can lead to competition for resources, which might lead to criminal activities.
Other Contributing Factors:
- Lack of Proper Education: Without education, people may not understand the consequences of crime or how to avoid it.
- Influence of Mass Media: Movies, music, and the internet can glamorize criminal activities and lead people to imitate what they see.
Evaluation/Assignment:
15 Fill-in-the-Blank Questions:
- One main cause of crime in society is __________.
a) Education
b) Broken homes
c) Happiness
d) Lateness - __________ can create a lack of stability and guidance for children, leading them into crime.
a) Respect
b) Drug abuse
c) Broken homes
d) Kindness - __________ can cause people to resort to crime to meet their needs.
a) Deprivation
b) Education
c) Respect
d) Kindness - Lack of __________ can lead to people being unaware of the consequences of crime.
a) Parents
b) Knowledge
c) Clothes
d) Education - __________ is one way that drug abuse leads to crime.
a) It makes people kind
b) It affects self-control
c) It teaches good behavior
d) None of the above - Peer influence can make people engage in __________ behavior.
a) Good
b) Bad
c) Neutral
d) Helpful - __________ is a cause of crime because it leads to desperation.
a) Political stability
b) Unemployment
c) Family structure
d) High salaries - __________ can lead to people seeking illegal ways of earning money.
a) Unemployment
b) Abundance
c) Wealth
d) Friends - Mass media influence can make crime seem __________.
a) Fun
b) Glamorous
c) Unnoticed
d) Impossible - Broken homes can lead to a lack of __________.
a) Food
b) Guidance
c) Peace
d) Clothes - Drug abuse can __________ the likelihood of crime.
a) Decrease
b) Increase
c) Prevent
d) None of the above - Poverty can lead to people committing crimes to meet their __________.
a) Needs
b) Desires
c) Goals
d) Jobs - __________ can create stress and desperation, leading to crime.
a) Wealth
b) Politics
c) Deprivation
d) Family support - __________ can make it easier for people to commit crimes without fear of being caught.
a) Lack of supervision
b) Police presence
c) Wealth
d) Support from friends - The influence of __________ can lead people to imitate criminal behavior.
a) Friends
b) Teachers
c) Movies
d) None of the above
Class Activity Discussion:
15 FAQs with Answers:
- What is the cause of crime in a broken home?
Answer: Lack of stability and guidance, making children more vulnerable to bad influences. - How does peer influence contribute to crime?
Answer: Friends may encourage criminal behavior, especially if they think it’s cool or profitable. - Can drug abuse lead to crime?
Answer: Yes, because drugs impair judgment, leading to poor decisions and illegal actions. - Why is lack of education a cause of crime?
Answer: Without education, people might not understand the risks or consequences of crime. - How can unemployment lead to crime?
Answer: People without jobs may turn to crime to meet their financial needs. - What is deprivation, and how does it cause crime?
Answer: Deprivation means lacking basic needs, which can lead people to commit crimes to survive. - How does poverty contribute to crime?
Answer: People may steal or engage in fraud to fulfill their basic needs when they are poor. - What role does mass media play in causing crime?
Answer: Mass media can glorify crime, making it seem like an easy and exciting way to live. - Can politics lead to crime?
Answer: Yes, political conflicts can lead to crimes such as violence or corruption. - How can broken homes cause criminal behavior in children?
Answer: Broken homes can lack emotional support and supervision, leaving children more susceptible to crime. - What is the relationship between drug abuse and crime?
Answer: Drug abuse lowers self-control, making individuals more likely to commit crimes. - How does peer pressure affect criminal behavior?
Answer: Friends may encourage one another to commit crimes to fit in or gain approval. - How does poverty make crime more likely?
Answer: People struggling financially might resort to crime out of necessity. - What does lack of parental supervision lead to?
Answer: Children may get involved in crime due to lack of guidance and the ability to make bad decisions. - How does unemployment affect criminal behavior?
Answer: People without jobs may turn to crime out of frustration or to make ends meet.
Teacher’s Activities:
- Ask questions and engage students in a discussion about the causes of crime.
- Present the chart showing various causes of crime.
- Guide the class in understanding how each factor contributes to criminal behavior.
- Lead the discussion on the role of education, peer influence, and media in crime.
Learners’ Activities:
- Answer questions about the causes of crime.
- Discuss with the teacher and classmates how these factors affect society.
- Complete the fill-in-the-blank questions in their notebooks.
- Participate in class discussions and share personal experiences where appropriate.
Evaluation Questions:
- Define crime and give two examples.
- Explain how peer influence contributes to crime.
- List three causes of crime.
- Why is drug abuse a cause of crime?
- How does lack of parental supervision affect children?
- Explain how poverty contributes to criminal behavior.
- How can education prevent crime?
- What are the consequences of committing a crime?
- How does the mass media influence crime?
- Discuss how unemployment can lead to crime.
Conclusion:
To conclude the lesson, the teacher will review key points by asking students to share what they’ve learned about the causes of crime. The teacher will mark students’ fill-in-the-blank answers and provide feedback, correcting any misconceptions.