Are the unemployed more likely to commit crimes? Does having a job make one less likely to commit a crime? Criminologists have found that individuals who are marginalized from the labor market are more likely to commit crimes, and communities with more members who are marginal to the labor market have higher rates of crime. Yet, as Robert Crutchfield explains, contrary to popular expectations, unemployment has been found to be an inconsistent predictor of either individual criminality or collective crime rates. In Get a Job, Crutchfield offers a carefully nuanced understanding of the links among work, unemployment, and crime. Crutchfield explains how people's positioning in the labor market affects their participation in all kinds of crimes, from violent acts to profit-motivated offenses such as theft and drug trafficking. Crutchfield also draws on his first-hand knowledge of growing up in a poor, black neighborhood in Pittsburgh and later working on the streets as a parole officer, enabling him to develop a more complete understanding of how work and crime are related and both contribute to, and are a result of, social inequalities and disadvantage. Well-researched and informative, Get a Job tells a powerful story of one of the most troubling side effects of economic disparities in America.

Are the unemployed more likely to commit crimes? Does having a job make one less likely to commit a crime? Criminologists have found that individuals who are marginalized from the labor market are more likely to commit crimes, and communities with more members who are marginal to the labor market have higher rates of crime. Yet, as Robert Crutchfield explains, contrary to popular expectations, unemployment has been found to be an inconsistent predictor of either individual criminality or collective crime rates. In Get a Job, Crutchfield offers a carefully nuanced understanding of the links among work, unemployment, and crime. Crutchfield explains how people's positioning in the labor market affects their participation in all kinds of crimes, from violent acts to profit-motivated offenses such as theft and drug trafficking. Crutchfield also draws on his first-hand knowledge of growing up in a poor, black neighborhood in Pittsburgh and later working on the streets as a parole officer, enabling him to develop a more complete understanding of how work and crime are related and both contribute to, and are a result of, social inequalities and disadvantage. Well-researched and informative, Get a Job tells a powerful story of one of the most troubling side effects of economic disparities in America.

The Third Edition of Crime: Readings features the latest theoretical and empirical works on crime, maintaining an ideal balance between major theoretical explanations of crime and crime control and each respective theoretical treatment while tying in policy issues. Updated and revised, the readings in this edition have been carefully pruned by the editors for maximum impact, providing undergraduate students with an accessible introduction to major issues in the field while eliminating excessive technical, methodological details that might hamper comprehension. This anthology includes both traditional yet still vital theories used by scholars of crime and newer explanations for law-violating behavior. Covering a realm of diverse criminological literature, the editors include a variety of readings that reflect the range of perspectives about the causes of criminal behavior and how best such behavior should be addressed.New to the Third Edition"Links criminological theories with the latest empirical research" The book features even more discussion of the ties between theory and actual policy in the Part introductions and in several new articles."Highlights recent developments in the field" The editors address a number of new issues related to crime control and also place greater emphasis on critical criminology, psychological, and biological approaches. "Recognizes the growing importance of comparative criminology" This edition includes a number of articles by criminologists from outside of North America, providing a more comprehensive and global perspective. "Keeps readers up-to-date in the literature" The sections on the history of criminology, research methods, and correlates of crime incorporate recent publications, and the section on enduring and changing patterns now includes entries on gangs, sex offenders, cyber crime, and terrorism."Inspires students to think critically about the theory and research of crime" Revised discussion and essay questionsmaximize student reflection on the concepts covered and include web-based data to give students practical experience working with criminological research.

Companion Web SiteHomework assignments and data exercises have been moved to a companion Web site at www.sagepub.com/crimereadings3study.

Intended Audience

This is an excellent text for undergraduate courses such as Introduction to Criminology and Criminological Theory in the fields of criminal justice, sociology, law and society, and social work."

This is a solid representation of criminological articles that are important to the discipline. The important material from each article has been retained, yet an undergraduate won't be overwhelmed. The articles are germane and flow together; a certain consistency in thought is presented to the student, as opposed to interesting but often semi-related articles. This book is accessible and, in several areas, very enjoyable reading. -- A. L. Marsteller, Drury College Also by the Editors: Crime (Vol. 1) and Juvenile Delinquency (Vol. 2) Why are these edited collections THE anthologies to use for teaching Criminal Justice, Criminology, or Juvenile Delinquency? * All volumes present the field accurately and completely to students and in a way that is understandable to undergraduates and, therefore, teachable. * All include rich collections of classic and contemporary articles, all of which have been carefully edited so that students can master the material. * All volumes contain essays written by the Editors, which provide the coherence and structure to the collections that undergraduate students need. Questions for Discussion and Writing and well-prepared indexes help to make these anthologies even more teachable. * All are edited by scholars who have the credentials and the undergraduate teaching experience to make this three volume set a particularly rich resource.