Attimes when I look around and see what we do as humans, I wonder if we are any different from animals. Well, the phrase “higher animals” would not have surfaced if we were not in some way close to them. I guess it is right to say that we are just above them in the sense that we can think and consciously create meaningful conversations since we have language, which many animals lack. This is not to say that animals do not communicate; they do, but it is limited to certain sounds and fewer expressions. They can not make unlimited sounds. It is always limited in some way.
I would like to ask a question: if a human has no contact with the outside world, I mean a baby that grows up without any connection with other humans and possibly survives in a forest, what kind of language would such a person pick up and speak? My concern is not really about language but about why humans commit crimes.
I think it is a question we all need to ask and should be able to answer since we are all human. Should I say that all humans are capable of committing evil? Well, that is already a confirmed assertion, as the Bible affirms it to be true. In the Bible, I have forgotten the exact verse, but it says that the human heart is desperately evi and who can truly know it? Even God, our maker, said after the creation of the world that His heart was grieved because of the evil of humanity. So, the evils human haves existed since the beginning of the world.
The answer to why humans commit crimes and evil may be that it is inherent in human nature. That is, it is inborn and also influenced by what people see around them. If it is not inherent, why would a baby bite his mother’s nipple or get angry without much provocation? Where did they learn that from?
There are many reasons why people commit crimes, particularly young adults. Some do it to feel accepted and to fit in with what their peers are doing. Some commit crimes because they are too lazy to work. There are situations that have made me understand that many people who steal simply do not want to work, although there are also cases where someone steals because of hunger. We can say that hunger caused that.
Yesterday, in our community, there were reports of thieves stealing chickens at midnight and even goats to sell in the market. They usually do this a day before market day so they can quickly sell them to unsuspecting buyers. Some buyers even know the goods are stolen and still buy them at cheaper prices. Why buy goods that you know were stolen? Sometimes, buying cheap products without proper verification can cost us our reputation.
Some people are simply lazy and not ready to work. I was talking to my friend abroad, and he told me that many people regularly come to his DM asking for money. He explained to me that these people do not really understand how hard he works, taking different shifts just to pay bills and save some money.
I personally have encountered some young adults whom I gave tasks to do. They collected initial deposits and still did not do the work. Most times, once they receive payment, they buy hard drugs just to get high. It is very annoying and shameful.
What are we going to do about this menace that has eaten deeply into our society? It is becoming very serious and alarming.