I really appreciate your deep and thoughtful comments. The problem of child abuse certainly deserves much more attention and funding. Let's remember, too, that there are many Black children who are brought up in foster families where they can face abuse, so it is not a "Black family problem".
The role of "crime cultures" and of harmful masculinity models in poor neighbourhoods should also be considered. I am glad that you have also mentioned the fact that poor men can see e.g. drug trade as an attractive "career" compared to the available legal job opportunities. In the same way poor women can be interested in various types of "sex work" despite its dangers.
As to the role of genetic factors, I think that one has to be very careful. Genetic explanations for all kinds of things are very popular because of their seductive simplicity. There is the risk of jumping much too quickly to the assumption that a man is breaking the law because he has inherited an "antisocial personality disorder". It can lead to excessive pessimism.
There are psychological and sociological reasons why poor men are much more likely to display "antisocial" behaviour than middle-class men. The poor may feel forced to break the law by their life circumstances. They also often see the law as a force serving the interests of the powers that be. Finally, they can feel that breaking the law can benefit them e.g. in the form of increased social status among their peers.
I personally tend to trust police officers and I am not afraid of them. My attitude is completely different from the visceral mistrust and often hatred boys and men from poor backgrounds - and especially poor Black boys and men - frequently feel towards the police. This difference in attitudes is largely (if not mainly) caused by a difference in experiences. The poor can also see the law itself as an alien and oppressive force.
I really appreciate your deep and thoughtful comments. The problem of child abuse certainly deserves much more attention and funding. Let's remember, too, that there are many Black children who are brought up in foster families where they can face abuse, so it is not a "Black family problem".
The role of "crime cultures" and of harmful masculinity models in poor neighbourhoods should also be considered. I am glad that you have also mentioned the fact that poor men can see e.g. drug trade as an attractive "career" compared to the available legal job opportunities. In the same way poor women can be interested in various types of "sex work" despite its dangers.
As to the role of genetic factors, I think that one has to be very careful. Genetic explanations for all kinds of things are very popular because of their seductive simplicity. There is the risk of jumping much too quickly to the assumption that a man is breaking the law because he has inherited an "antisocial personality disorder". It can lead to excessive pessimism.
There are psychological and sociological reasons why poor men are much more likely to display "antisocial" behaviour than middle-class men. The poor may feel forced to break the law by their life circumstances. They also often see the law as a force serving the interests of the powers that be. Finally, they can feel that breaking the law can benefit them e.g. in the form of increased social status among their peers.
I personally tend to trust police officers and I am not afraid of them. My attitude is completely different from the visceral mistrust and often hatred boys and men from poor backgrounds - and especially poor Black boys and men - frequently feel towards the police. This difference in attitudes is largely (if not mainly) caused by a difference in experiences. The poor can also see the law itself as an alien and oppressive force.