10 Honesty
Crime and Class
Criminology research shows that most criminals come from working-class and lower-class areas. In recent surveys, about 80 percent of white inmates in state and federal prisons were from these lower-class neighborhoods. This trend is particularly clear among young males, who are the majority of offenders. The data likely underreports the crimes attributed to these areas, highlighting a strong connection between class and crime rates. This pattern has remained consistent for decades, reflecting ongoing social issues.
Neighborhood Trends Over Time
The discussion focuses on crime, imprisonment, and their impacts on two neighborhoods, Belmont and Fishtown, from 1974 to 2004. Fishtown has faced significant challenges, including rising crime rates and increased imprisonment, alongside a decreasing population. The rate of imprisoned white adults in Fishtown surged from 213 to 957 per 100,000 people during this period, indicating a severe issue within the community. In contrast, Belmont experienced very little change in imprisonment rates, making it unlikely for residents to know anyone who is imprisoned.
The rise in the number of individuals on probation and parole highlights ongoing risks in neighborhoods. The population of white parolees grew from 79,000 in 1980 to 337,000 in 2008, while those on probation jumped from 581,000 to nearly 2.4 million. Educational attainment among probationers is low, suggesting they continue to face substantial challenges.
Despite a general reduction in crime rates in the U.S. since the early 1990s, Fishtown still experiences higher arrest rates, particularly for violent crimes. The increase in incarcerated individuals may have temporarily reduced crime, but the underlying issues of criminality in Fishtown remain serious.
Honesty as Integrity
Honesty and integrity are fundamental concepts that go beyond merely obeying the law. They involve doing the right thing based on moral principles, regardless of potential negative consequences. In American culture, especially during the nineteenth century, honesty became a key trait, leading to a self-image of straightforwardness where people kept their word and acted honorably.
In the business realm, American honesty coexisted with competitive and sometimes sharp practices that frustrated foreign observers. It was generally accepted that while taking advantage of someone in a business deal wasn’t seen as dishonorable, there were limits. Misleading others, lying, or cheating was considered unethical. A handshake was often seen as a trustworthy agreement, highlighting a different standard for business integrity.
However, since the 1980s, some have argued that corruption within American businesses has increased, labeling the decade as "The Decade of Greed." High-profile corporate scandals in the early 2000s, such as those involving Enron and WorldCom, led to stricter regulations with laws like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The financial crisis of 2008 exposed significant wrongdoing on Wall Street, where risky practices were rampant. Despite these scandals, it remains unclear if there is a widespread decline in corporate integrity overall.
Personal integrity is challenging to assess as well. One way to examine this is through bankruptcy trends. Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows individuals to discharge their debts legally. Over the decades, trends in personal bankruptcies have fluctuated, often in response to legal changes rather than moral behavior. This raises questions about whether increased bankruptcies reflect a decline in personal integrity. While economic factors undeniably play a role, it also suggests that some individuals may have become more willing to assume debt without the intention of repayment, indicating a potential deterioration of integrity within personal financial behavior.
Crime and Class
Criminology research shows that most criminals come from working-class and lower-class areas. In recent surveys, about 80 percent of white inmates in state and federal prisons were from these lower-class neighborhoods. This trend is particularly clear among young males, who are the majority of offenders. The data likely underreports the crimes attributed to these areas, highlighting a strong connection between class and crime rates. This pattern has remained consistent for decades, reflecting ongoing social issues.
Neighborhood Trends Over Time
The discussion focuses on crime, imprisonment, and their impacts on two neighborhoods, Belmont and Fishtown, from 1974 to 2004. Fishtown has faced significant challenges, including rising crime rates and increased imprisonment, alongside a decreasing population. The rate of imprisoned white adults in Fishtown surged from 213 to 957 per 100,000 people during this period, indicating a severe issue within the community. In contrast, Belmont experienced very little change in imprisonment rates, making it unlikely for residents to know anyone who is imprisoned.
The rise in the number of individuals on probation and parole highlights ongoing risks in neighborhoods. The population of white parolees grew from 79,000 in 1980 to 337,000 in 2008, while those on probation jumped from 581,000 to nearly 2.4 million. Educational attainment among probationers is low, suggesting they continue to face substantial challenges.
Despite a general reduction in crime rates in the U.S. since the early 1990s, Fishtown still experiences higher arrest rates, particularly for violent crimes. The increase in incarcerated individuals may have temporarily reduced crime, but the underlying issues of criminality in Fishtown remain serious.
Honesty as Integrity
Honesty and integrity are fundamental concepts that go beyond merely obeying the law. They involve doing the right thing based on moral principles, regardless of potential negative consequences. In American culture, especially during the nineteenth century, honesty became a key trait, leading to a self-image of straightforwardness where people kept their word and acted honorably.
In the business realm, American honesty coexisted with competitive and sometimes sharp practices that frustrated foreign observers. It was generally accepted that while taking advantage of someone in a business deal wasn’t seen as dishonorable, there were limits. Misleading others, lying, or cheating was considered unethical. A handshake was often seen as a trustworthy agreement, highlighting a different standard for business integrity.
However, since the 1980s, some have argued that corruption within American businesses has increased, labeling the decade as "The Decade of Greed." High-profile corporate scandals in the early 2000s, such as those involving Enron and WorldCom, led to stricter regulations with laws like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The financial crisis of 2008 exposed significant wrongdoing on Wall Street, where risky practices were rampant. Despite these scandals, it remains unclear if there is a widespread decline in corporate integrity overall.
Personal integrity is challenging to assess as well. One way to examine this is through bankruptcy trends. Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows individuals to discharge their debts legally. Over the decades, trends in personal bankruptcies have fluctuated, often in response to legal changes rather than moral behavior. This raises questions about whether increased bankruptcies reflect a decline in personal integrity. While economic factors undeniably play a role, it also suggests that some individuals may have become more willing to assume debt without the intention of repayment, indicating a potential deterioration of integrity within personal financial behavior.