Factors Affecting Criminal Behavior – Basic 3 Security Education Lesson Note (Second Term)

Subject: Security Education
Class: Primary 3
Duration: 30 minutes

What are Factors Affecting Criminal Behavior?

Factors affecting criminal behavior are things that influence or encourage people to do bad things that are against the law. These factors can push people toward crime or pull them away from it.

Factors That Encourage Criminal Behavior

Family Factors

Broken Homes:

• Parents who are divorced or separated
• Children living without proper family care
• No one to teach right from wrong
• Lack of love and attention at home

Bad Family Examples:

• Parents who steal or fight
• Family members who break the law
• Children copying bad behavior they see at home
• No good role models in the family

Social Factors

Bad Friends:

• Friends who steal, fight, or break rules
• Groups that encourage bad behavior
• Peer pressure to do wrong things
• Being influenced by troublemakers

Poor Neighborhood:

• Living in areas where crime is common

• Seeing violence and stealing every day
• No safe places to play and learn
• Bad examples all around

Economic Factors

Lack of Money:

• Families too poor to buy basic needs
• No money for school fees or books
• Children working instead of going to school
• Stealing because of hunger

No Job Opportunities:

• Adults unable to find honest work
• Young people with nothing useful to do
• No way to earn money legally
• Desperation leading to crime

Educational Factors

Not Going to School:

• Children who drop out of school early
• No proper education about right and wrong
• Cannot read or write properly
• Missing moral lessons and values

Poor School Environment:

• Schools with violence and fighting
• Teachers who don’t care about students
• No proper discipline in schools
• Students learning bad behavior at school

Personal Factors

Mental Problems:

• People who cannot think clearly
• Those with anger management issues
• Individuals who cannot control their emotions
• People with mental illness not getting help

Drug and Alcohol Use:

• People who use illegal drugs
• Those who drink too much alcohol
• Substances that change how people think
• Addiction leading to criminal acts

Factors That Prevent Criminal Behavior

Positive Family Influence

• Loving and caring parents
• Good examples at home
• Teaching children proper values
• Strong family relationships

Good Education

• Going to school regularly
• Learning about right and wrong
• Developing useful skills
• Having good teachers and mentors

Positive Community

• Living in safe neighborhoods
• Having good friends and role models
• Community programs for children
• Religious and moral teachings

Economic Opportunities

• Families having enough money for needs
• Job opportunities for adults
• Skills training programs
• Government support for poor families

How These Factors Work

Risk Factors:

• Make crime more likely to happen
• Create bad influences
• Remove good guidance
• Increase temptation to do wrong

Protective Factors:

• Help people stay away from crime
• Provide good influences
• Teach proper behavior
• Give hope for a better future

Class Exercise

1. Fill in the blanks:

Words: factors, family, education, friends

1. _____________ affecting criminal behavior are things that influence people to do bad things.
2. A broken _____________ can lead children to criminal behavior.
3. Bad _____________ can encourage people to break the law.
4. Good _____________ helps prevent criminal behavior.

1. Choose the correct answer:

1. Which family factor can lead to criminal behavior? a) Loving parents b) Broken homes c) Good examples
2. What type of friends increase criminal behavior? a) Those who study hard b) Those who break rules c) Those who help others
3. Which prevents criminal behavior? a) Dropping out of school b) Getting good education c) Using drugs

1. Write ENCOURAGES CRIME or PREVENTS CRIME:

1. Loving and caring parents: _______
2. Bad friends who steal: _______
3. Going to school regularly: _______
4. Living in violent neighborhoods: _______
5. Having no money for basic needs: _______
6. Learning about right and wrong: _______

1. Match each factor with its effect:

• Broken family → Children lack proper guidance
• Good education → People learn right from wrong
• Bad neighborhood → Children see crime as normal
• Job opportunities → People earn money legally

1. Complete these sentences:

1. _____________ homes can lead children to criminal behavior.
2. Good _____________ helps people stay away from crime.
3. Bad friends can _____________ people to break the law.
4. _____________ opportunities help people earn money legally.

1. List three factors that encourage criminal behavior:
2. List three factors that prevent criminal behavior:
3. Give examples of how these factors affect behavior:

1. Bad family example: _________________________________
2. Good education: _________________________________
3. Poor neighborhood: _________________________________

1. Answer these questions:

1. What are factors affecting criminal behavior?
2. How do bad friends influence criminal behavior?
3. Why is education important in preventing crime?

1. Write TRUE or FALSE:

1. Broken families always lead to criminal behavior. _______
2. Good education can help prevent crime. _______
3. Bad neighborhoods have no effect on criminal behavior. _______
4. Economic factors can influence people to commit crimes. _______